Picketing bus strikers react to tentative deal

by Cathy Wurzer, Minnesota Public Radio

A tentative agreement in the Twin Cities' bus strike has been reached. Negotiators met for 15 hours starting at 2:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon. Gov. Tim Pawlenty joined the negotiations at 11:00 p.m. and an agreement was reached this morning at 5:30. Negotiations were conducted at a hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Details of the tentative agreement will be announced this morning at 9:00 a.m. at the Capitol. This is the 41st day of the strike and the key issue separating the two sides has been health care benefits. MPR producer Eugene Cha talked with union members on the picket line after news of the settlement was announced. Mechanic Carl Munson says he is optimistic that the offer will be approved by the union members.