Strong turnout for U-46 bus vote

A sizable majority of Elgin Area School District U-46 transportation employees turned out Tuesday to vote on whether to accept the district's "last, best and final" offer of a new contract or to strike.

"A 'yes' vote was a vote to accept the contract. A 'no' supported an intent to strike," said Dave Neal, Uniserv director for the District U-46 Transportation Union.

Of the 394 employees, 317 voted. The results will be posted this morning in the transportation facility headquarters garage, 500 Shales Parkway in Elgin, Neal said.

The four-year deal, first rejected by union members Feb. 2, offers a 4.4 percent across-the-board raise for the first two years of the contract. Increases tied to the rate of inflation in the third and fourth years could be between 5.5 and 6 percent, according to district officials.

District U-46 Transportation Union President Doris Cartwright has called the offer "second-best compared to other U-46 administrators and employee contracts."

The recently approved teachers contract gives the average teacher a raise of 6.1 percent in the first year of the contract, 5.7 percent in the second year and between 4.4 and 5.7 percent in the third year. District administrators will also receive 5.7 percent raises this year.

U-46 transportation employees are the highest paid in the state and would continue to be under the proposed deal. Bus drivers currently start at $14.24 per hour and make up to $18.99 an hour, according to district officials.

Tuesday's turnout "was about what we expected" Cartwright said. "There were some that were still working and some on leave."

Before voting, members in attendance had the opportunity to ask questions, Neal said.

"It was very even-handed, with questions from all points of view. At least when we're done, we'll know that virtually everyone got the chance to vote and be heard," he said.

If union members again reject the contract, state law requires 10 days notice before a strike can occur.