The bus strike presents a challenge in a mayoral election year. Democrats, who are closely aligned with labor, can’t afford to look unsympathetic to families whose children are stranded by the strike. Here’s a round-up of what the presumed and declared Democratic and Republican candidates are saying.

As school bus drivers and escorts prepare to strike, we look at what drove the two sides apart. The union claims the city is reneging on a promise to include employee protections in future contracts that guarantee wages and seniority rights. But the city claims a 2011 court ruling nullified those protections.

More than 150,000 students face major disruptions to their school commute this week as the union representing many school bus drivers called a strike starting Wednesday morning. The union wants to protect the jobs of experienced bus drivers and matrons when the city seeks new bids on expiring bus contracts.

The city continues its efforts to prepare families for a possible bus strike as the drivers’ union held a large rally on Sunday. Union leaders say they hope to avoid a job action in favor of negotiated job protection for its experienced bus drivers.

Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott accused the union representing school bus drivers of trying to scare parents, and said the city remains prepared if the union strikes over new bids and the lack of job protection for some bus drivers.

Mayor Bloomberg is warning students and parents to prepare for a possible school bus strike as soon as January 2nd.