GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — School bus drivers will receive pay raises and more time off under a new contract agreement between Dean Transportation and the Grand Rapids union that represents some of its workers, the Grand Rapids Press reported.
The 180 Grand Rapids drivers and route planners will receive annual pay raises averaging 50 cents an hour for the next four years, as well as two days of bereavement leave, an additional personal day and four paid holidays instead of one, according to The Press.
The company also will contribute more to health care benefits, a representative of the Grand Rapids Educational Support Personnel Association told The Press.
The sides had been in negotiations for about 18 months and had worked with a federal mediator, the report said.
SOURCE:
The Grand Rapids Press, "Four-year contract gives Grand
Rapids school bus drivers small raises," Nov. 4, 2010
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "A Little Good News for
Kids and Taxpayers: Privatization Wins in Round One," Oct. 4, 2010
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