HAVERHILL — MeVa management on Friday accepted bus drivers’ proposal to return to work on a one-year contract.
The 10-day Merrimack Valley bus strike is over and the bus drivers will return to work on Sunday.
Bus drivers gathered around Teamsters Local 170 business agent Jim Marks on Friday to hear the details.
Drivers will keep their Saturday open work benefit and their wages will increase by about 12%.
The strikers cheered at the electronic gate as Teamsters Local 170 business agent Jim Marks made the announcement and explained the details.
Sunday bus service will resume with regular fixed route buses and the reservation para-transit vehicles.
Union members cleaned and packed up from their picket encampment outside MeVa headquarters and prepared to return to work.
The strike, in an off the beaten track post outside the gate to MeVa headquarters, lasted 10 days, continuing around the clock in heat, rain and quiet.
The one-year contract provides both sides more time to hammer out a longer contract and resolve the thorny Saturday issue that has been the stumbling block to a longer agreement.
Management had proposed inserting Saturdays into the regular work week to meet funding and scheduling needs.
Union drivers wanted Saturdays to remain as they have for decades, open work, for both financial and family, work-life balance needs.
The strike started on July 1 after union members voted overwhelmingly, 102-16, according to the union steward Michael Durso, to reject the MeVa management team’s proposed three-year contract.
MeVa administrator Noah Berger said the rejected proposed contract had been negotiated for six months and included a 25% increase in hourly wages over three years, but required drivers to give up Saturday open work.
Berger said that change was needed for MeVa to expand Saturday service and fund operations and that drivers would be making more money under the proposal.
Saturday work was a bone of contention during negotiations, and remains a matter of contention.
The strike has been difficult on passengers, drivers and management.
“This last week and a half has been very difficult for all of us at MeVa, for our valued employees who were not doing the work they love,” Berger said, “and most importantly for our riders, who we know depend on MeVa for access to jobs, education, medical appointments, daycare, cooling centers, summer activities, and just living their lives.”