Bus Drivers, Board Reach Settlement

Neggífating teams representing the Ann Arbor Board of Education and Teamsters Local 247 have agreed on a 1971-72 salary increase of 20 cents per hour for all school bus drivers, with the exception of probationary drivers who will receive an eight-cent an hour raise. The hourly increase averages 5.5 per cent, effective Nov. 15, 1971, authorities said. This settlement represents an increase of 4.1 per cent in total dollars for the entire fiscal year. The agreement has been raüfied by the Teamsters membership and will be submitted to the board for i proval at its meeting next week. The Teamsters are working on the third year of a threeyear contract negotiated in I 1969. The 1969 contract provided for the payment of a 1971 longevity increment and contained a wage reopener clause. The 20 cents per hour increase is the result of bargaining on thp wage issue. Including the increment negotiated in 1969, the settlement represents a total dollar increase of 5.6 per cent for the fiscal year. Supt. R. Bruce McPherson pointed out that the menTwïGi the Teamsters Union included "a review of the wage settlement by both parties in the event settlement with the Ann Arbor Education Association is significantly higher." Under the proposed agreement, drivers with more than two years service will earn $3.95 per hour; drivers with service in excess of one year will earn $3.70, and six month drivers will receive an hourly rate of $3.45. Probationary drivers, or drivers with less than six months service, will earn $3.28 under the new agreement.