The Region - News from April 12, 1985

The chief negotiators for the Southern California Rapid Transit District and its largest labor union announced that they had reached a “basis for a contract settlement” that would avert a threatened strike by 5,000 RTD bus drivers. But spokesmen for both sides stressed that although the two sides were in accord on a wage-and-benefits package and other bargaining issues, no formal tentative agreement has been reached. The spokesmen, appearing at a joint news conference at the Pasadena Hilton, where negotiations have been held, predicted the last snags would be resolved by early next week. The United Transportation Union in February authorized a strike after contract talks broke down. But a court order, which expires at midnight April 21, has prevented the bus drivers from walking off their jobs.