School bus drivers and monitors in Marlboro walked off the job Wednesday, sending families scrambling for last-minute rides while classes stayed open. The walkout, led by Teamsters Local 170, stems from a contract standoff with NRT Bus over pay terms and what the union calls a lack of truly affordable health care.
According to CBS Boston, the union notified the school district that drivers and monitors would hit the picket line Wednesday after NRT put a "last and final" proposal on the table that union leaders say "falls far short" of providing reasonable health coverage. The workers are employed by NRT Bus, which runs routes for Marlboro Public Schools and the Advanced Math & Science Academy on Forest Street. NRT Bus and Marlboro Public Schools had not publicly commented at the time of reporting.
Last Year’s Walkout Still on Parents’ Minds
For many families, this is déjà vu. Drivers staged a three-day walkout in May 2023 that forced thousands of students to cobble together alternate transportation before NRT and the union hammered out a deal. That stoppage disrupted rides for roughly 3,800 bused students and showed how quickly daily routines can unravel once buses stop rolling. The Boston Globe reported that the 2023 strike ended after negotiators reached a settlement.
Union Holds the Line on Health Care
Teamsters Local 170 says health coverage remains the core sticking point and that members will stay on the picket line while talks continue. The union has also said it is ready to keep negotiating until a deal is reached, per CBS Boston. Federal filings show the local represents drivers for NRT's Marlboro unit, which operates out of a Hudson facility, a detail reflected in NLRB records.
A Fight Playing Out Far Beyond One Bus Yard
The Marlboro strike lands in the middle of a broader push by Teamsters locals nationwide for stronger health and retirement benefits. Earlier this year, a national bargaining effort with First Student produced a tentative agreement in late March that union leaders say improved access to benefits and avoided a large-scale strike. The national deal, highlighted in a Teamsters news release carried by PR Newswire, could shape expectations at local tables such as Marlboro's, even if the players are different.
What Families Should Watch For Next
Negotiations are ongoing, and the union says it will stay available to bargain while picket signs stay up. Parents, students, and staff are being urged to follow official district communications for updates on bus routes and any temporary transportation plans as the town and its contractor respond to the work stoppage.
