September 28, 2015 / Modified sep 28, 2015 4:03 p.m.

Sun Tran, Teamsters Release Details of Bus Contract

Most union employees to receive raises; bus drivers' starting salaries will not increase.

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Tucson's Sun Tran bus system management company and the Teamsters Union that represents its employees Monday released the contract that ended the 42-day strike.

The two sides were criticized last week after the strike ended for not revealing details of the contract. Included among the critics were Tucson City Council members, who had pushed for a settlement and for the details of the contract.

The two sides Monday issued a joint statement with the full contract, which shows all drivers will receive raises of 83 cents and $3.72 an hour, depending on years of service. New driver wages will remain at $13.30 an hour, and a driver in his or her fifth year on the job will receive a maximum of $19.52 an hour.

Mechanics and other union employees will also receive wage increases.

The contract also addresses safety issues stemming from the union’s claim that 22 drivers were assaulted in the last year. It says a union representative will be involved in assault investigations and any driver who was an assault victim can go home without loss of pay.

The strike was the longest in Tucson history, and it cut bus service by two-thirds. Savings of $1.6 million from not having paid wages to striking workers and from fuel because fewer buses were running during the strike was added to the money available to settle on the new contract.

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