Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Union expects more than 8,000 bus drivers and matrons to strike, affected over 150,000 school children. As was the case during the week-long Chicago teachers strike last, city officials are framing the strike in terms of harm done to children and parents.

"With its regrettable decision to strike, the union is abandoning 152,000 students and their families who rely on school bus service each day," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement. The city is providing free Metro cards Wednesday to students and parents affected by the strike and reimbursed private transport for special needs children.

The walkout was precipitated by the city's push to privatize their yellow buses. In an attempt to cut spending on transportation, the city has put bus contracts with private bus companies up for bid. The drivers union has vociferously opposed the move, arguing that drivers will be thrown into precarity if new bus companies win city contracts and don't hire them. Mayor Bloomberg has stressed that job protection clauses to allay these concerns cannot legally be written in to private contracts.

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In addition to issuing Hardin a fine for $250 and suspending her license for 30 days, a judge has ordered that Hardin wear a sign that says "Only an idiot would drive on the sidewalk to avoid the school bus." Hardin must wear the sign "near the location of the crime for an hour per day, next Tuesday and Wednesday morning," according to Fox 8.

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