Twin Cities Bus Drivers Vote On Another Contract Offer
By Steve Murphy, NewsRadio 830 WCCO
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A contract covering 2,200 members of the Amalgamated Transit Union expired last July and the rank-and-file have twice rejected offers that included wage freezes and higher payments for health insurance.
Since then a new administration and Met Council chairwoman have taken over -- a change noted by Local 1005 President Michelle Sommers.
"I think there's a new feeling of wanting to respect the employees, which I think is very important," said Sommers. "Having Governor Dayton or a new Met Council doesn't change the financial situation of the state. But I think it can change the attitude towards the employees."
NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Steve Murphy Reports
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Sommers says there are "some changes" in the health care offer this time around.
Union members will hear details of the latest offer at a meeting in St Paul on Sunday and voting will take place both Sunday and Monday.
Bus drivers haven't been on strike since 2004, when they walked out for six weeks.
