(Providence, RI) -- Teamsters Local 251, the union representing school bus drivers for Providence Public Schools students, says a driver strike will start on Thursday if an agreement with bus company First Student is not reached. The two sides are in a dispute over retirement benefits. The strike could have started as early as this past Friday, but a statement from the union says it pushed the date back in consideration for the hardship for the children and parents involved, and at the request of Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza's office. City officials say if the strike happens, parents will be on their own to get their kids to school.