Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 21, 1993 TAG: 9304210094
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
The strike by 5,800 drivers and maintenance workers represented by the Amalgamated Council of Greyhound Local Unions had been marked by sniper fire. Buses and terminals were shot at in at least 50 instances, the last in summer 1990.
Labor Secretary Robert Reich, who attended the signing of the proposed pact, said he hoped it marked "the beginning of the end to a very bitter period in labor relations." The six-year deal calls for regular labor-management meetings.
The proposed contract provides about $22 million in striker back pay and annual wage increases that will boost driver pay nearly 20 percent over the life of the contract, from $13.83 an hour to $16.55 an hour on March 1, 1998.
Mechanics' wages, which vary by location, will increase by 3 percent to 4 percent in each year of the agreement.
Greyhound agreed to rehire 550 strikers by July 1. The company already had reinstated about 1,500 other strikers.
Many of the striking workers had been replaced by permanent employees after the strike began March 2, 1990. No replacement workers will be fired.
The company agreed to recall other strikers as vacancies occur.
The settlement also provides that most of the nearly 200 drivers who were fired for alleged misconduct will be rehired. The future of the others will be determined through arbitration.
The settlement is expected to be ratified by the union members in early May.
Tuesday's settlement may have little impact in the Roanoke area because the 60 Greyhound drivers who were based here when the strike began have since retired or found other jobs.
None of the strike-replacement drivers is based in the valley. Twelve Greyhound runs go through Roanoke daily - six bound to Nashville, three to Richmond and three to Washington. Drivers of those buses are based in Washington and Nashville.
Greyhound "is not likely to recall drivers where drivers are not based," said William Kula, a company spokesman in Dallas. The recalls are expected to be based on seniority, he said.
Several former drivers said that although their new jobs paid less, they had no regrets about the strike. They said they were not interested in returning to Greyhound.
Company operations have returned to normal, although the size of the operation is smaller than before the strike, Kula said.
Staff writer George Kegley contributed to this report.
by CNB