School bus drivers strike

There were no placards, no marching, no chanting, no fanfare as disgruntled school bus drivers staged a strike at East Bus Station yesterday.

At least 15 buses stood idle as drivers refused to drive home any school children.

Consequently, scores of students had to find other means of getting home.

When OBSERVER arrived at the East Bus Station shortly before 2:30 pm, several school children were seen boarding private buses in an effort make their way home. Others were able to walk or find someone to give them a ride.

Meanwhile, an estimated 30 bus drivers huddled in a nearby building with representatives of Antigua & Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU). They remained on site until 4 pm – the time when their shifts ended. At that point, they boarded their buses to return them to the government motor pool.

What remains unclear, however, is the reason why the drivers have taken such action, as they were adamant that they were not prepared to speak to the media.

We were instead referred to ABWU General Secretary Senator David Massiah for comment. Massiah, whom we understand was travelling yesterday, had up to press time been unavailable for comment.