Long bus strike ends in Vermont's largest city
Long bus strike that stymied students, poor in Vermont's largest city ends with new contract
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) -- A lengthy bus drivers' strike in Vermont's largest city has ended with approval of a new contract.
Bus drivers for the Burlington area voted for the contract Thursday. The Chittenden County Transportation Authority board ratified it later. The drivers' union plans to resume bus service Friday.
The bus agency's management and its unionized drivers had haggled over wages, disciplinary action from anonymous tips, part-time drivers and split shifts.
The strike began March 17 and was the first in the 40-year history of the bus agency. The buses carry 10,000 people a day, including 2,400 Burlington public school students.
Many of Burlington's poor and immigrant residents need the buses for transportation to food pantries and jobs.
University of Vermont sophomore Brad Day had been walking 20 minutes to campus during the strike. He says he's glad it's over.
