The local union that represents the Charleston Community Unit School District bus drivers may be moving closer to a labor strike.

Tim Donovan, business representative for Teamsters Local Union No. 26, said a labor strike is becoming a realistic option after the union received the latest offer from First Student, Inc., the company the school district contracts for bus services.

“To put it mildly, it is a very disappointing proposal,” Donovan said.

The issue that has prolonged negotiations, which were originally slated to conclude Sunday, has been wages. Donovan said the new proposal contained an increase in wages that did not meet the union’s demands.

If the drivers strike, the union would notify the school district, Donovan said.

Maureen Richmond, spokesperson for First Student, said the company was disappointed that the union refused to show the newest proposal to its membership, effectively rejecting the offer.

She said First Student would brainstorm a new proposal, with the intention of sending a new offer to the union today. The company still hopes to get the issue resolved quickly, Richmond said.

Determination on the status of school will continue to be a day-to-day decision, Richmond said.

“It’s back in our court,” she said.

In an interview Monday, Richmond said the company thought the original proposal was reasonable, considering the economic climate.

She said the new proposal did contain an increase, but she declined to elaborate on the extent of the increase.

Despite the threat of a labor strike, the union and First Student agreed to continue its transportation service today, which means school is in session. The rest of the week and subsequent future, however, is uncertain.

If Charleston schools close, the school will use its emergency or “snow” days to make up the lost time at the end of the school year.

Stephen Di Benedetto can be reached at 581-7942 or at sdibenedetto@eiu.edu.