Teamsters, Durham reach tentative agreement to end bus strike

A month after Mat-Su Borough school bus drivers walked off the job, it appears that a tentative agreement has been reached between both sides.

Durham and Teamsters Local 959 went back to the negotiating table Thursday, and at one point, Patrick FitzGerald, representing the Teamsters said he was optimistic that something could happen as neither side had walked away after a few hours of negotiating.

The contract needs to be ratified by the Teamsters, which is set to occur this weekend. If it is approved, bus drivers could return to their routes as early as Monday, March 6.

In a statement released by both Durham and the Teamsters, the union members are looking forward to returning to work and providing school bus services for the Mat-Su Valley.

“Durham School Services team members are eager to provide full-service bussing to the Mat-Su Valley for the remainder of the school year and future years to come.”

Details of the agreement are not available at this time, and neither Teamsters Local 959 nor Durham School Services are commenting until the contract is ratified.

The statement went on to thank families and community members for their support throughout the negotiating process.

This is a developing story.