Drivers to vote today on resolution to CCTA bus strike

Related Company:Chittenden County Transportation AuthorityA tentative agreement was reached this morning between the Chittenden County Transportation Authority and striking drivers. Drivers will vote today on the new deal. Negotiations over the last couple days between the two sides in the nearly three-week-old strike were in part brokered by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont). Commuters, non-drivers and schoolchildren have been hard hit by the work stoppage that began on St Patrick's Day. Terms of the new agreement were not released. A previous settlement was unanimously rejected by the unionized drivers. The primary issues have been over working conditions and security cameras on the buses.
Senator Sanders issued the following statement this morning on a tentative agreement between striking bus drivers and the Chittenden County Transportation Authority: “I was very pleased to learn from both parties that an agreement was reached early this morning between the bargaining teams of CCTA management and Teamsters Local 597. The full union membership and CCTA board of directors will vote on the contract today.
“I know this has been a very difficult time for bus commuters in Chittenden County. It was clear from my discussions on Tuesday night with both parties that they were close to an agreement and, from what I understand, they have now negotiated a sensible resolution to the part-time and scheduling issues that were outstanding.
“Long-term, I urge CCTA management to focus on efforts to improve the culture and work environment at CCTA which clearly had reached a low point.
“I hope and expect that both parties will ratify the tentative agreement today and that the buses will be rolling tomorrow morning.”
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger issued this statement on the tenative resolution:
“I am pleased to hear from both the drivers’ union and CCTA management that they appear to have achieved consensus on the remaining issues during last night’s negotiation session. I appreciate the focus and commitment demonstrated by both parties to end the strike. I urge the drivers to approve this agreement today so our impacted schoolchildren, families, patients, and neighboring community members can get back on the bus as soon as possible. The drivers should vote with confidence that Burlington has heard their concerns about the need to improve workplace culture and is committed to working in the months ahead to ensure meaningful follow-through on CCTA management’s commitments to improve that culture. I thank Senator Sanders and the Burlington City Council for their contributions toward resolving this situation and Governor Shumlin for the leadership he displayed yesterday in bringing the parties together.”
Governor Peter Shumlin issued this statement: "I am very glad that the drivers' union and CCTA management reached consensus on all open issues during last night's mediation session. I encourage the drivers to approve this agreement so that they can get back to work and those who rely on this service can get back on the bus. I know that it took hard work and compromise to get to this agreement. When I met with the drivers and CCTA management yesterday, I heard the drivers' frustration over working conditions and management relations, and I committed to helping in any way I can to help forge a better environment for workers going forward. It is now time to set aside differences and approve this compromise agreement to get our bus drivers back on the road."