Parents whose children take the bus to school may have to wake up earlier to drive them or make other arrangements for a couple of days next week.
The union representing about 330 bus drivers with Autobus Transco has given notice that if the company does not improve its salary offer its drivers will walk off the job next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Transco has offered a five year deal which includes a two year wage freeze followed by an annual increase at about half the rate of inflation.
For its part the union is asking for a three-year deal which includes a two-per cent increase annually.
Because schools have contracts with multiple companies not all students with be affected. On the island of Montreal the strike would hit the English Montreal and Lester B. Pearson School Boards on the English side and the Commission scolaire de Montréal and the Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys. Some students at Collège Ste-Anne in Lachine would also be affected.
"If you are a parent of student affected by this strike, you have already received a detailed email informing you of what school, route and child are impacted by this strike. The email includes a link providing details to the availability of expanded Daycare services for AM & PM students in our elementary schools" The Lester B. Pearson Board said in a statement.
Parents and guardians are being encouraged to carpool if possible, and students old enough are being asked to use public transportation in order to limit the amount of traffic in front of schools.