NEW HAVEN - Shuttle bus drivers at Yale University and Southern Connecticut State University plan to go on strike starting early Wednesday as they negotiate a new contract, according to their union.
The strike will go into effect at 4 a.m. Wednesday and will continue "until further notice," an announcement sent by Teamsters Local 443 said.
A news release sent by the union said the drivers' contract with Transdev Service Inc., the bus company, expired June 30, 2025. The drivers have been working since then under a signed extension agreement that could be ended by either side with five days' notice. The union said it gave notice this week.
A union spokesperson said Tuesday that the company had reached out and that the union's agent would be negotiating with them.
The union represents drivers who shuttle students, faculty and staff at Yale and SCSU, both located in New Haven.
An SCSU administrator said in a message to the school community that a strike would affect service to the university's 10 shuttle stops and Union Station. The statement said students, faculty and staff who rely on the services should prepare alternate transportation starting Wednesday.
"It's important to clarify that Southern is not a party to the collective bargaining process and is not at the negotiating table," Lillian Wanjagi, SCSU's vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer, said in the statement. "The negotiation and settlement of the terms in question are solely between Transdev and the workers' union. University operations and classes will continue as scheduled."
In a statement, Transdev said it "is aware of Teamsters Local 443's intent to strike beginning September 2."
"We remain committed to the collective bargaining process and to reaching a fair and sustainable agreement," the statement continued. "In an effort to support progress in negotiations, Transdev requested state-facilitated mediation and continues to seek opportunities to move discussions forward. We recognize the challenges a work stoppage may create for riders and remain focused on finding a resolution through continued negotiations."
Tom Bayusik, Business Agent for Teamsters Local 443, said in a statement that the union negotiated in good faith for more than a year.
"In May we were very close to an agreement, with language additions and fair increases over the term of the contract, then the Company regressively turned everything around," Bayusik added. "They purposefully misled the Union by running out the clock to avoid confrontation during Yale's commencement and then they took everything off the table. That's not bargaining in good faith and that's why our members will be going on strike."
Yale did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the impending strike.
The drivers' union said it also has filed a unfair labor practice charge against the company "over its conduct during negotiations."
The union also cited several other issues with Transdev.
The union said the National Labor Relations Board granted summary judgement against the company in February, finding it illegally refused to bargain with a certified union.
In September 2023, the company paid more than $700,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a conservation group over anti-idling violations.
In 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor ordered the company to pay more than $145,000 for retaliating against workers who refused to drive because they were sick or fatigued, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. One of the workers had been terminated by the company, the agency said.
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This article originally published at Shuttle bus drivers at Yale, SCSU plan to strike beginning Wednesday morning, officials say.