Alexandria’s DASH bus drivers reach contract, avert strike

In a milestone victory over a three-decade legacy of anti-union management, Alexandria Transit Company DASH bus drivers have reached a collective bargaining agreement with management. ATU VP John Costa -- who led the contract bargaining team -- credited “tremendous support from the Alexandria labor and political community," for achieving the deal after a seven-month bargaining process. "Because of this union contract more of these workers will actually be able to live in the community that they serve,” added ATU Local 689 President and Business Agent Raymond Jackson. The union’s bargaining committee unanimously recommended the membership support the contract settlement, which it said achieved nearly all significant goals set by the membership, including parity with WMATA wage and benefit levels.

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