Friday is the crucial day for the local union and regional school bus company that have been at a disagreement all week over a new contract for Charleston School District bus drivers.

Tim Donovan, business representative for Teamsters Local Union No. 26, said the union and First Student, Inc., the company Charleston Community Unit School District contracts for bus services, would meet formally Friday to negotiate the possibility of a new contract.

The size of wages has been the point of contention for both parties that originally had until Nov. 15 to strike a deal.

The union is demanding an increase to wages. First Student responded by offering increases that it perceived as reasonable considering the economic climate.

Bus services will continue today and Friday, which means elementary, middle and high schools within the district will remain open for the rest of the week. School District Superintendent Jim Littleford will be in contact with both parties during the weekend over the status of negotiations.

Donovan said it is possible a deal could be finalized Friday, but the possibility is not certain.

“We’ll have to wait and see,” he said.

Donovan also reiterated the likelihood of a labor strike if a deal could not be agreed upon Friday. He would not comment on whether the bus drivers would strike the following Monday.

Maureen Richmond, spokesperson for First Student, said the company believes it will be beneficial to meet face-to-face with the union to understand the issues that have prolonged negotiations.

She said the company is discussing internally how far it is willing to increase wages for Charleston bus drivers as it prepares for Friday’s meeting.

Richmond said the company hopes negotiations will continue in good faith. She said the company intends to reach a deal before the likelihood of a union strike becomes a reality.

“We maintain optimism that we will reach a resolution quickly,” Richmond said.

Both parties agreeing to meet formally Friday is another development from an issue that has been ongoing since Nov. 15.

On Tuesday, the union received a counter offer from First Student that contained an increase.

Donovan said Tuesday that the union rejected the offer because the increase still did not meet the union’s demands.

In an interview Tuesday, Richmond said the company was disappointed the union refused to show the counter offer to its membership.

The school district will cancel class if a work stoppage happens.

In the event of that, the district 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 sdibenedetto@eiu.edu.