DENVER — Denver International Airport shuttle drivers’ strike planned for Friday morning was averted after both sides came to an agreement earlier this week, the union said Friday.
The United Mine Workers of America set Friday as the strike deadline for members who work for ABM at DIA. These shuttle bus drivers transport passengers from the short-term lots and the Pikes Peak and Mount Elbert parking lot to the airport. They also transport employees from the airside lot.
ABM is a contractor for the city and county of Denver at the airport, and the city sets the minimum wage and benefit levels for those employees. Their wages were set at $16.31 an hour with a limited benefit package.
That, the union said in a letter, is the main cause of its members’ dissatisfaction. That wage is not enough to cover the cost of living in the Denver metro area, the letter said.
Bob Butero, spokesperson with the United Mine Workers, said the union came to an agreement on Monday and ratified it on Wednesday.
The new agreement includes a 10 percent pay raise for the first year, an increase of 5 cents an hour for every year a driver has worked with ABM and 4 percent matching contributions to employees’ 401K. Health benefits remain unchanged, Butero said.
Busing operations will continue as normal Friday.
