Leominster families are rushing to line up backup rides and childcare as national contract talks leave the morning school run up in the air. The contract that covers many First Student bus drivers expires today, and drivers have already authorized a strike if negotiators cannot land a deal in time. Parents told local reporters they are juggling carpools, reshuffling work schedules, and sketching out emergency plans for children who depend on yellow buses. School administrators say they are tracking the talks closely and will alert families if any routes are disrupted, as reported by the Teamsters.
At the center of the uncertainty is the National Master First Student Agreement. The company says the agreement "expires on March 31, 2026" and that it has been negotiating ahead of that deadline, including bargaining sessions scheduled for March 30-31. According to a March bargaining update from the union, Teamsters members wrapped up a strike-authorization vote this month with about an 88% authorization rate, meaning a walkout is on the table if there is no national deal. For more on the bargaining schedule and contract status, see the update from the Teamsters.
What parents are saying
Locally, WBZ-TV coverage carried on CBS Boston showed Leominster parents bracing for a last-minute scramble if buses do not run. Some said they would have to miss work or overhaul their daily routines to get kids to school without bus service, and many urged districts to post clear, early guidance so families are not left guessing the night before.
This is not the first time nearby districts have come close to a bus stoppage. Drivers who serve Fitchburg and Leominster share a local contract and a bus yard in Fitchburg, and last fall a separate standoff there was resolved after another round of talks. The dispute ended with a temporary agreement that averted a walkout, according to reporting from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
The current national strike authorization covers more than 17,000 school bus workers across the country, a figure cited by regional outlets following the vote. WIFR and other stations report that Teamsters leaders have also filed an unfair-labor-practice charge as bargaining continues. First Student told local reporters it "remains committed and fully engaged in good-faith negotiations," and said its goal is to preserve local supplemental agreements while avoiding any disruption to service.
What schools recommend
Districts are urging families to stick to official channels for the latest updates. The Leominster Public Schools website includes earlier transportation notices and directs families to district communications for any contingency plans. The district has previously laid out temporary drop-off and pickup options in a message to families and says it will post immediate alerts if bus routes are interrupted. For the most current guidance, parents are directed to the district notification on the Leominster Public Schools site, which also lists the district address and contact information.
Parents who rely on bus service are being told to keep an eye on messages from their schools, the bus company, and the union. Official statements are expected to appear on the bargaining page for First Student and on the Teamsters’ communication channels as talks continue. Both sides have said they will post notices if they reach an agreement or if a work stoppage is scheduled. In the meantime, families told reporters they are firming up backup plans for the days ahead and calling on districts to spell out clearly what will happen if the buses do not roll.
