Bus strike settlement hits snag

by Cathy Wurzer, Minnesota Public Radio

The process of settling the Twin Cities' bus strike has hit a snag. After announcing the tentative agreement early yesterday, Metro Transit delivered the written deal to union leaders with "incomplete" health care numbers. Metro transit then sent additional information to the union last night, but the delay could affect when union members vote on the deal. Workers walked off the job on March 4th over pay and health care, leaving more than 70,000 bus riders to find other ways to get around. The strike has also had an impact on the state's first light-rail line. The line was scheduled to open between downtown Minneapolis and just north of the airport on April 1st, but was delayed because light-rail drivers have been on strike as members of the union. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Peter Bell, the chair of the Metropolitan Council about the latest developments, and the affect of the settlement on the timetable for light-rail.