Las Cruces Public Schools preparing students for possible bus-driver strike

Las Cruces students who take the bus to and from school may need to find a different mode of transportation come Friday .

The union representing school bus drivers in the Las Cruces Public School District unanimously voted to strike Tuesday .

It’s still unclear if and when the strike will happen, but the drivers contract ends Thursday . Meaning come Friday , 7,300 students may have no way to and from school.

LCPS does not hire bus drivers. They have a contract with Student Transportation Services. The Las Cruces Transportation Federation #6341 represents drivers with STS.

The LCTF president says they’re forced to drive over crowded buses which compromises student safety. They also say drivers have gone years with out a raise and don’t get enough sick days. The LCPS superintendent says both the union and STS aren’t thinking about the children.

“We will have school every day. We do not want our children’s education to be jeopardized by these two parties,” Superintendent Stan Rounds said. “I must say the bus companies and the drivers need to realize that they are not putting students first.”

“The statement that was made about us putting them at risk by taking whatever action we think is necessary is totally wrong because we put their safety before everything else,” Union President Marcos Torres said.

On Wednesday, a union representative told ABC-7 after final negotiations with STS, they could not reach an agreement. He said he believes a bus strike will happen, but could not confirm a date or time.

An official with STS said they will continue to keep the lines of communication open.

Rounds said he will provide more information to parents on Thursday .