Nearly 2,000 students in North Bay and surrounding areas, including West Nipissing and Parry Sound, are without school transportation for the third consecutive day. This disruption is caused by a strike involving around 80 drivers from Alouette Bus Lines. Parents are scrambling to arrange alternative transport methods for their children, adjusting their work schedules, seeking help from relatives, and organizing carpools.
Impact on Families
Christiane Cheff, a single mother from Sturgeon Falls, has expressed the challenges families are facing due to the strike. With two children affected, she has relied on her mother for assistance. “It’s been really hard on families,” Cheff stated. She emphasized that their frustration is not aimed at the drivers, who are fighting for fair working conditions that ultimately benefit the students.
Cheff noted that school pick-up and drop-off lines have become unusually long, highlighting the community’s support for the strikers. “They work hard and take good care of our kids,” she added.
Community Responses to the Strike
Another parent, Karen Parker, reached out through social media to find a carpool for her Grade 9 son. “I was so surprised by the community,” Parker remarked, noting the overwhelming sharing of her post. A family member also stepped in to provide transportation, easing the burden on her family.
Parker expressed her support for the striking bus drivers, stating, “These drivers deserve to be paid fairly. It’s a big inconvenience, yes, but I definitely support what is going on.”
Current Negotiations and Wage Issues
Addressing the strike, Stephanie Gunson, president of United Steelworkers Local 2020, highlighted the wage disparity faced by drivers. Currently, the average wage stands at $18.11 per hour, with drivers operating without a contract since August 2025. On Monday, they rejected a proposed wage increase of $2.69 per hour, as it did not meet the area’s living wage, which is significantly higher.
- Drivers in similar roles at other companies earn between $23 to $25 per hour.
- Cheff and Parker both advocate for fair compensation for the drivers.
In a statement, Alouette Bus Lines asserted their commitment to reaching a fair agreement with the drivers, highlighting their intention to offer competitive wages. Meanwhile, the Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services is working on contingency plans but has not released specific details regarding the ongoing situation.
