WHEREAS, unionized school bus transportation of New York City's public school students ensure safe and reliable transportation for students across New York City; and

WHEREAS, 16% of New York City's students rely on school bus service, including daily classes, field trips, enrichment, and sports activities; and

WHEREAS, lack of consistent school bus service negatively impacts students, families and school communities and causes disruptions in the educational process; and

WHEREAS, dependable transportation ensures that students receive all their academic services by arriving at school buildings safely and on time; and

WHEREAS, in 2013, then Mayor Michael Bloomberg removed Employee Protection Provisions from all New York City bids and contracts for the bus transportation of school children; and

WHEREAS, the removal of these protections created mass layoffs, depressed wages and diminished working conditions; and

WHEREAS, the restoration of these protections will help secure student safety and consistency in their transportation needs, while stabilizing the school bus industry in New York City; and

WHEREAS, these protections will also alleviate the current school bus worker shortage and may represent future work opportunities in a unionized career for current New York City students; and

WHEREAS, skilled, qualified and experienced school bus drivers keep students, especially the very young and those with disabilities, safe as they are traveling to and from school; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the UFT supports legislative efforts to restore employee protection for the workforce transporting New York City's students on school buses; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the UFT will continue introducing students to unionized careers through initiatives including, but not limited to, Future in Focus, work-based learning opportunities, and career pathways.