Strike threat ends as bus drivers agree to new contract

Roughly 425 school and Pace bus drivers will continue their scheduled routes Tuesday after agreeing to a two-year contract extension.

The drivers, who serve Indian Prairie Unit District 204, Oswego Community Unit School District 308, a small portion of Naperville Unit District 203 and Pace, came to terms Monday with First Student after more than a year of negotiations. Drivers are expected to ratify the deal within the next three weeks.

Neither side would discuss terms of the deal until it is ratified.

Drivers with Joliet-based Teamsters Local 179 recently rejected a proposed contract with First Student, prompting the company to warn the school districts last week about the possibility of a driver strike.

"I would like to offer a sincere apology for all of the uncertainty the situation has caused parents and school officials over the last few days," First Student spokeswoman Maureen Richmond said. "We appreciate their patience and support during that trying period."

Messages for Local 179 Vice President Tom Flynn were not returned Monday.

District 204 Superintendent Kathy Birkett almost immediately sent an e-mail to parents and posted a statement on the district's Web site.

"The threat of a strike no longer exists. I want to thank First Student and its drivers for avoiding what would have been a major disruption in our community," she wrote. "I also want to thank our parents for all their assistance in planning alternate ways to transport their children to school. We look forward to returning our complete focus on our students and their education."