Contract Negotiations Continue Over Danville Bus Attendant Contracts

Talks will resume Friday morning between Teamsters Local 226 and representatives of the First Student bus company, which runs transportation services in the Danville School District.

The two sides have been mulling over a new three-year contract for the district's 70 bus drivers and 22 bus monitors who respond to 56 routes. The union wants those employees to get higher wages and benefits.

After more than four months of contract negations, Maureen Richmond, a spokeswoman for the bus company, said she had hoped to reach a resolution by now.

"We do believe that the compensation and benefits package that we've offered to the union representatives is a fair market value, especially given the current economic conditions," Richmond said.

Richmond would not release details of the proposed contract.

Union members have not formally announced plans to walk off the job and strike, even though its members have been without a contract since August 1.

A representative from the Teamsters Union could not be reached for comment.