SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – After months of negotiation between PVTA bus drivers, mechanics, and DGR Management Inc., the ATU has reached a tentative agreement.
PVTA upgrades real-time transit data for riders The strike was originally scheduled for Sunday morning, but the union representing local PVTA bus drivers and mechanics announced it had been called off. Negotiations have been happening since March. Last week, 22News was told the PVTA and DGR Management sent over their “final and best” contract, but the Union voted to overwhelmingly reject it. ATU had announced that they will strike starting Sunday.
Earlier this year, the union proposed an 18% wage increase over a three-year contract. Just last week, DGR Management offered the union a one-year contract and would return to negotiations for years two and three. The offer included a 5% wage increase, with top bus operators earning $32.81 an hour.
It is unclear as to what kind of tentative agreement they have reached, but members of the union are set to vote on it Tuesday.
With negotiations still happening last week and a workers strike that was supposed to happen 22News spoke to some frequent riders to see how they are feeling following the news. A lot are thankful to be able to continue to use the buses to get around.
“I was nervous this morning looking at the transit app that tells you when the buses are coming, so when I saw one,” expressed Sabrina Napolitan of Springfield. “I was greatly relieved that I can go to work.”
Yolanda Pagan of Holyoke told 22News, “I did, you know, witness the stress that the drivers have endured, but also stress that it has caused the people of Springfield.”
The strike would have effected the greater Springfield area, which includes children going to school, adults going to work and appointments, some just being able to be independent and get around.
“Pretty sure everyone has different lives to go where they have to go, so I’m pretty sure they are also happy to be on the bus going to their next destination,” said Napolitan.
22News will continue to cover this story as the Union votes on Tuesday.
Local News Headlines
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Most Popular
Comments / 0