L.A .Buses Roll as Transit Strike Ends

ByABC News
October 17, 2000, 11:52 PM

Oct. 18 -- The Los Angeles transit system got back on track this morning, as bus drivers and rail operators headed back to work after ending their monthlong strike.

Buses rolled out early this morning, hours after the 4,300-member United Transportation Union voted overwhelmingly to accept a new contractproviding raises of 9.3 percent over three years. The deal ended the 32-day-old walkout and meant relief for the 450,000 commuters who rely on public transportation in the city.

As soon as I find out that everything is settled I say, I want to go back to work to serve my public, driver Jose Ornelas said.

Rail service is not expected to be operating until Thursday because of required maintenance checks.

The agreement between union and transit authority officials was reached early Tuesday following a marathon negotiation session. The Rev. Jesse Jackson had been working with the two sides in recent days in hopes of brokering a pact.

We had almost given up, and then we were blessed by an angel that gave us a fresh idea, Jackson said.

In the end, leaders from both sides expressed satisfaction with the deal.

We got what we needed out of this contract. It gives us the kind of savings that positions us in a financially stable way so that we can serve the needs of the transit-dependent of Los Angeles, said MTA board member Zev Yaroslavsky, who is also a member of the county board of supervisors.

Union general chairman James Williams declared victory at a rally Tuesday night, telling members, Lets do the job the right way. Lets wear our uniform and lets be proud of who we are, because we won!

About 92 percent of the more than 1,350 unionmembers who cast ballots Tuesday night voted in favor of thecontract.

The contract also includes improvements to the drivers pension plan,and allows the MTA to add 55 drivers who can work four-day, 10-hourshifts and hire more than 300 new part-time drivers.