Workers for three private bus companies in Queens were likely to begin a strike today for the third time this year, a union official said last night, a move that would once again force about 116,000 commuters to search for other ways to get to work.þþThe strike was scheduled to begin at midnight, said Roger Toussaint, president of Local 100 of the Transport Workers Union.þþEarly this morning, it was unclear whether negotiations were under way that might avert the strike. Telephone calls to union officials and bus company executives were not returned.þþEarlier, union officials said the walkout was planned in response to an impasse between the union and the administration of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg over whether the city would increase health care benefits for drivers, mechanics and cleaners.þþMr. Toussaint said in a statement that members of Mr. Bloomberg's administration had agreed to the increases earlier this year but had recently reversed itself.þþThe companies, Jamaica Buses, Triboro Coach and the Queens Surface Corporation, while private, are subsidized by the city and state.þþA spokesman for Mr. Bloomberg, Jordan Barowitz, would say only, ÿThe negotiations and the strike are between the union and the bus companies.ÿþþThe last two strikes, one a surprise one-day strike in January and the second a two-day strike at the end of February, were prompted by disputes over wages, job security and pensions.þþA union official said that if a strike were to begin today, he expected it would be prolonged.þþTom Cocola, a spokesman for the city's Department of Transportation, said that if the strike went forward, the city would allow livery cabs and minivans known as dollar vans to travel along bus routes, collecting passengers.þ
Early this morning, it was unclear whether negotiations were under way that might avert the strike. Telephone calls to union officials and bus company executives were not returned.
