Boston Mayor, Union Blast Sudden School Bus Strike

Strike violated contract

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino vowed to punish school bus drivers who walked off the job on Tuesday in a labor action the city contended was illegal, and which even the drivers' union organization condemned.

Some 33,000 public and private school students were left to find alternative routes to school on Tuesday after a union representing some 700 drivers and also represented by the United Steelworkers of America Local 8751 did not show up for work.

"We will make sure this illegal behavior has consequences," Menino told reporters, saying the strike violated the terms of the contract under which the drivers worked.