UPDATE: Bus strike averted in Jefferson County

By Jeff Small

KSDK -- Thousands of Jefferson County parents rested a lot easier Thursday night after a vote between union members and a bus company. The outcome of the contract negotiation means buses will be running Friday morning.

In House Springs on Thursday, bus drivers and new union members made their way into a meeting that's kept local parents on edge. It would ultimately decide whether drivers would go on strike after failing to agree on a contract with the First Student Bus Company. After more than two hours, there was a decision to accept the new contract.

Seventy-seven Local 610 members voted in favor of a new three year contract that union leaders called a good deal for now and in the future.

"In this economy, you are not going to gain leaps and bounds and everybody knows that, but to have a voice is the foundation for what we need going forward," said Mike Lieser with Local 610.

Fifty new union members strongly disagreed with a proposal and voted against a contract.

"I agree there is some good things in it, but there is a lot that it just isn't worth it, and I was wishing we would all stand strong and try to getter a better contract than what we got," said bus driver Debra Schmidt.