Columbus bus strike leaves parents worried for children's safety

With Columbus School District bus drivers on strike, many parents worry about how to get the children to school safely.

Strike.

Parents in the district are starting to worry how to get their children to and from school.... wtva's rhea thornton was in columbus to talk with parents about their concerns.

Std."

'm here at the columbus bus parking lot where bus drivers have recently been on strike.

I spoke with parents today and their biggest concern is for their children to get to school safely.

Shanina scott - parent "it's not only effecting me.

It's effecting my kids and it's effecting my parents."

With bus drivers on strike.

Columbus school district parents are left to find a safe way for their children to get to school.

Single mother shanina scott says the new adjustment is difficult.

Shanina scott - columbus district parent "i have to be at work at a certain time and by me having kids at two different schools, i have one in the third grade and one in the seventh grade, so that's hard trying to get across town and be at work at 8 o'clock in the morning."

However, driving your children isn't the only worry this strike brings up.... gertrue weatherspoon says the coronavirus impacts bus riding as well.

Gertrue weatherspoon - parent: "if you have to have so many bus drivers take these students during this pandemic home and pick them up and make sure they're dropped off at school, how are you getting them back and forth with the social distancing?"

Even though the transportation responsibility falls on them, both mothers believes this movement is worth their troubles.

Gertrue weatherspoon: "i stand behind them 100%.

If i have to keep driving my kids to school for them, that's what i'll do."

Shanina scott: "the way i see a bus driver right now is just like the country sees a nurse.

They are our essential workers because they're going to make sure our kids get to and from school."

Tag: now, the organizer of the strike said bus drivers could not return to work for their shifts.

She also said that workers are being fired over the phone.

I tried reaching out to the columbus school district and did not get any answers from them.

Reporting in columbus, rhea thornton wtva 9 news.

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