
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 4, 1992                   TAG: 9203040066
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DALLAS                                LENGTH: Medium

THE STRIKE'S STILL ON, BUT UNION GIVES BUS DRIVERS THE GREEN LIGHT

The union representing 5,000 Greyhound Lines Inc. drivers said Tuesday its members could return to work, nearly two years to the day when they walked off their jobs. But the Amalgamated Transit Union said its strike against the bus company was still technically on.

"We're saying that it's not a violation of union policy for people to go back to work," said Earle Putnam, general counsel for the ATU, parent of the Amalgamated Council of Greyhound Local Unions that represents the drivers.

"It's just one of those weird situations one confronts in the field of labor relations when some things are not settled and disputes persist," Putnam said.

"The strike is on. But, as a practical matter, there's little or no picketing taking place," he said.

Union leaders meeting in Phoenix Saturday decided to allow striking members the opportunity to return to work while the union presses its issues against Greyhound in court. They announced their decision to members on the union's strike hot line Monday, the second anniversary of the walkout.

"If our striking members return to work, it will prevent the company from hiring any more scabs and will put our people back on the inside," the hot line message said.

Some local union leaders said they were confused by the union's decision.

"Either you're a scab or you're not a scab," said Willie Tate, chairman of the Greyhound local that includes 150 strikers in the Dallas area.

And in Western Virginia, where the strike initially produced strong reaction against the company, a union official predicted few drivers would seek their old jobs.

If Greyhound driving jobs were available in Roanoke today, "I don't think a one will go," said Earl Boitnott, executive board member for ATU Local 1493 in the Roanoke area.

Most of the 50 to 60 Roanoke drivers who went on strike two years ago have found other jobs, such as driving for Abbott Bus Lines, or they have retired, Boitnott said Tuesday. A driver for 16 years, Boitnott said he now runs his own nursery and landscaping business.

Greyhound has hired permanent replacements for the drivers, he said, "but the strike is still on, as far as I'm concerned. The fight is still on."

More than 40 of the local drivers attended a banquet Sunday night, marking the second anniversary of the dispute. Sixth District Democratic congressional candidates John Edwards and John Fishwick spoke and the former drivers "are leaning more toward Fishwick," according to Boitnott.

The union told Greyhound last week it was considering sanctioning the return to work, said Elizabeth Dunn, spokeswoman for the Dallas-based company.

Greyhound and the union have since exchanged letters to discuss priorities for rehiring the striking drivers and will likely meet later, she said.

The NLRB and union have asked an administrative law judge in Milwaukee for more than $142 million in back pay for the strikers. However, the case could take years to resolve.

Business editor George Kegley contributed to this story.

by CNB