EagleTransit strike rolls on

The Daily Inter Lake

Eagle Transit bus drivers continued on strike Friday as Flathead County trained more temporary drivers.

Mike Pence, county administrative officer, said two new drivers were completing training this week.

Eagle Transit administrators took over driving two buses when the strike began Wednesday.

"We're continuing to provide service," Pence said.

Seven drivers were providing public transportation before the strike.

Pence said more drivers would come on board next week. He expects Eagle Transit to restore service to Columbia Falls and Whitefish next week.

"We'll work our way up to almost normal service," he said.

The county will announce restored routes as temporary drivers finish training.

He said some Eagle Transit riders apparently have found alternative transportation.

"It's been pretty quiet," Pence said.

Drivers with Local No. 2 of the Teamsters Union walked off the job at noon on Wednesday as the county failed to meet union demands for a $2-an-hour raise plus cost-of-living raises over three years.

Drivers rejected the county's last offer of a 60-cent raise plus cost-of-living raises over three years.

Pence said that another meeting with the union was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. He had no plans to present an enhanced offer.

"I think we made our position pretty clear," he said.