Search » Advanced

Bus drivers’ union reaches tentative deal

By GAIL SCHONTZLER Chronicle Staff Writer

Days before school starts, a tentative deal has been reached between the bus drivers’ union and the company that provides drivers to the Bozeman School District and Streamline public bus system, a union official said.


 Charles Murtagh, a local driver and member of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 381 negotiating team, announced the tentative agreement Monday.

Murtagh said he couldn’t reveal details of the agreement, but said it means a vote by union members to allow union leaders to call a strike will be “held in abeyance.”

Kevin Mest, Northwest regional vice president for First Student Inc., could not be reached for comment.

Murtagh said the two sides met in a Bozeman hotel and bargained all day Saturday and Sunday, reaching an agreement Sunday evening. He said he couldn’t discuss details, such as whether it included larger pay raises or benefits for part-time drivers.

The union represents more than 50 drivers, Murtagh estimated.

The tentative agreement was good news for Kirk Miller, Bozeman school superintendent.

“We would be very pleased to be starting school Wednesday with our experienced driver core,” Miller said. “We’re pleased they appear to have reached agreement.”

Miller said he expected to hear the outcome of the drivers’ vote in the next few days.

“We’re ready to go,” Miller said. “Wednesday’s the starting day.”

Gail Schontzler is at gails@dailychronicle.com or 582-2633.

Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of The Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Please read our Online Users Agreement.
You must register with a valid e-mail to post comments on BozemanDailyChronicle.com. Only your Member ID will be posted with your comments. Posts that violate our Online User Agreement will be edited or removed.

Login:

Become a Registered User

Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
E-mail Address:
Year of Birth:
 

(children under 13 cannot register)

First Name:
Last Name:
Company:
Home Phone:
Business Phone:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Web site:
 

Printer friendly version Subscribe