Delaware bus drivers on strike reach tentative agreement with employer, First Student

The 62 union-represented school bus drivers who went on strike Thursday have reached a tentative agreement with their Ohio-based employer, First Student, and are expected to return to work on Friday, according to a company spokesperson.

Spokesperson Jen Biddinger, who communicated the development in an email, did not immediately respond to an inquiry about exactly what the agreement was.

"We have reached a new tentative contract agreement with Teamsters Local 326," Biddinger wrote, referring to the union that represents the drivers. "The union has instructed drivers to report to work tomorrow."

The tentative agreement includes improvements on workers' health care, 401(k) plans and wages, said Leonard McCartney, vice president and business agent of Teamsters Local 326.

The members will vote next week on whether or not to accept it, he said.

He confirmed that the union, after reaching a contract in principle with First Student, instructed drivers to be back on the job on Friday.

News broke late Wednesday that the bus drivers planned to strike Thursday due to collective bargaining disagreements with First Student over pension and health care plans. 

The strike disrupted routes for Appoquinimink School District, Christina School District, New Castle Vo-Tech School District, Odyssey Charter School, East Side Charter School, Charter School of New Castle, and Newark Charter School, according to the Delaware Department of Education.

READ THE FULL STORY:62 school bus drivers in Delaware to strike after rejecting contract proposal, union says

This is a developing story. Check back with Delaware Online for updates.

Contact Sarah Gamard at sgamard@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2281.