Nearly 2,000 students across the Nipissing-Parry Sound region were left without transportation to school starting Monday after bus drivers with Alouette Bus Lines rejected the company’s latest contract offer and walked off the job.
The 80 drivers, represented by United Steelworkers Local 2020, voted 79 per cent against the company’s proposal for a wage increase. The official strike began following the morning vote, however per direction from Alouette drivers did not make their morning runs.
Wage dispute at the centre
The collective agreement between the company and the union expired in August 2025. While both sides confirm wages remain the key sticking point, with the union saying the numbers tell a stark story.
“Right now, these drivers are making $18.11 an hour, which is just above minimum wage,” said USW Local 2020 presidet Stephanie Gunson.
“There’s lots of other bus companies in the area that are making above $22, $23, even $25 an hour. So, for the employer, just offer the $2.69. It still falls below what everybody else is making and below the livable wage in the area.”
In a statement, Alouette Bus Lines said it had offered to increase wages by 15 per cent. The company expressed regret over the disruption.
“There will be disruptions to transportation to and from school,” the company said.
“It is regrettable that school children are impacted by labour negotiations.”
— Alouette Bus Lines
Union rejects ‘pawns’ accusation
The company had previously accused the union of using children as bargaining chips, noting in a letter that drivers would not be on the road for afternoon runs.
Mike Scott, lead negotiator for USW Local 2020, pushed back against that characterization.
“We had advised the company that we would drive this morning, hold our vote. If it was determined to be a strike, we would withdraw our services like any other group that strikes,” Scott said.
“So, for them to want us to continue to drive after a resounding no vote, is frankly, you know, unacceptable from us and, at no point did we use the children as pawns.”
Scott also addressed the wage context directly.
“We’re not a bunch of greedy bus drivers here.”
— Mike Scott, lead negotiator for USW Local 2020
“We’re just severely underfunded and, you know, in years past, this company gave them 25 cent raises every year, a quarter,” Scott said.
“So, yes, we’ve made strides in our negotiations, but it’s just not enough.”
Impact on families
Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services confirmed it has notified families of the ongoing disruption. The consortium, which coordinates student transportation across four school boards, said the 67 affected routes serve communities including Parry Sound, North Bay, Redbridge and West Nipissing.
“As you are aware, routes contracted through Alouette Bus Lines were cancelled on Monday February 23, 2026, as a result of an Operator labour dispute,” wrote Chuck Seguin, executive director of NPSSTS, in an email to parents Monday.
“Drivers voted today on the latest offer from their employer and chose not to accept it. As a result, the suspension of service will continue until further notice.”
Seguin advised that families are responsible for making alternative arrangements for their children to travel to and from school. The consortium said it continues to work on contingency plans for alternate service delivery, subject to available resources and prioritized where possible.
The consortium said that specific suspensions of routes will be reflected as cancellations in BusPlanner for those who are subscribed to bus status alerts and on the associated website.
Updates from the consortium are regularly shared on its Facebook page.
Both the union and Alouette Bus Lines have indicated they remain open to further discussion and hope to achieve a new agreement.
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