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

DATE: TUESDAY, September 21, 1993                   TAG: 9309210046
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

REVISED BUS CONTRACT OFFERED

Valley Metro has offered a revised labor contract to union bus drivers in an attempt to break the logjam over a new agreement.

Earlier this month, the drivers rejected a proposed two-year contract.

They said they were not satisfied with the company's proposal on several economic issues, including pay, sick leave and personal leave.

So the negotiators went back to the bargaining table and drafted a revised proposal.

Steve Mancuso, Valley Metro's general manager, said Monday he is optimistic the latest contract offer will be accepted.

Union members will vote on the offer tonight.

The drivers have been working without a new contract since July, but they agreed to stay on the job during negotiations.

Union leaders would not comment on details of the negotiations. Both sides have agreed to keep the talks confidential. The top pay for bus drivers is now $9.10 an hour.

There has been no talk of a strike. The last drivers' strike was in 1975, when there was a five-week walkout.

About 5,000 passengers ride daily on Valley Metro's fleet of 35 buses.

Health insurance was the main issue in the negotiations for a new contract last year. Valley Metro agreed to increase health-care benefits after the drivers rejected the first offer. The union approved the revised offer.

by CNB