WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -- West Hartford bus drivers lined the streets in front of Town Hall Monday to demand a new contract.

“We want affordable health insurance, affordable dental wages that match other companies,” bus driver Marcus Evans said.

Evans and fellow bus drivers lined the streets during an informational picket. He said they’re threatening a real strike if they don’t get a contract settled with their employer, First Student, before the end of the year.

“These bus drivers make, on average, $2 less than drivers in other cities across the state, and we don't think that’s appropriate at all,” CSEA/SEUI Local 2001 President Cathy Osten said.

The bus drivers joined the SEUI Local 2001 union in May and have been working without a contract ever since.

“These drivers are carrying the children back and forth to school each day who live in this community, so I think they have the community support for fair and equitable wages,” CSEA/SEUI Local 2001 spokesman Matt O’Connor said.

The union and First Student were set to begin negotiations Monday in hopes of reaching an agreement by the end of the year.