By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – A wildcat strike by Laidlaw school bus drivers caused late arrivals for St. Louis public school students on about half the bus routes today.
City schools spokeswoman Deborah Sistrunk said the district is still trying to determine how many of the schools' 545 bus routes will be affected. "Laidlaw did bring in additional drivers to make the runs this morning and they are making the double and triple runs to make sure that every child is picked up from bus stops. But parents need to understand that children make be picked up late but they will be picked up."
Sistrunk says school officials received word of a possible strike late last night. It's reportedly to protest a stall in contract talks over salary and benefits.
The district released a statement this morning, which reads: "School continues as usual for the St. Louis Public Schools, despite an unauthorized work stoppage by Laidlaw bus drivers. Union leaders will be meeting with the bus drivers today at 1 p.m. Meanwhile, SLPS is doubling and tripling routes to ensure that all students are taken to school. The district has arranged for more drivers to report to work this afternoon. Expectations are high that the strike will end quickly."