Boston.com28%
Bus driver strike ends in Merrimack Valley after nearly 2 weeks 5%
By Samantha Genzer21%
7/12/2026, 10:08:50 PM
BS Summary: This article contains 1 faulty reasoning type, including Attempt to Sell a Product or Service, with Attempt to Sell a Product or Service as the most egregious example at 3.5% saturation with 23 hits. Analysis detected 23 faulty-reasoning hits from 662 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 20.8% and a BS Rank of 5% (14,896 of 15,676 articles). This article is better (less manipulative) than 95.00% of the article peer group.
Bus service across the Merrimack Valley resumed Sunday after transit officials and the union representing more than 130 drivers and mechanics reached a one-year contract agreement, ending a 10-day strike.
Driver and mechanics with Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVa) went on strike July 1 over a contract dispute regarding mandatory Saturday work and overtime.
The strike halted fare-free bus service across the Massachusetts towns and cities MeVa serves, including Amesbury, Andover, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Merrimack, Methuen, Newburyport, North Andover, and Salisbury.
In a press release Friday, Teamsters Local 170 business agent Jim Marks announced that the union representing the striking workers had sent a pre-ratified agreement to the company, reaching a shorter-term compromise, which includes a commitment to future negotiations.
"Our members made the difficult decision to accept less in hourly wages than they believed they had earned because getting back to serving the riders and communities they care about was more important than prolonging this dispute," Marks said.
On Saturday, MeVa announced that, after finalizing the agreement, regular service will return to normal on Sunday.
The transit agency noted that passengers might experience some initial delays and adjustments as operators transition back to work.
"This has been a difficult time for all of us - MeVa's riders, employees, and the communities we serve," the company said.
"We are all dedicated to the mission of providing quality public transportation for all, and hate to see the devastation that the lack of service has caused."
In a Facebook post Saturday, Lawrence Mayor Brian A.
DePeña expressed his support for the agreement that will bring back regular bus service.
"Over the past several days, many Lawrence residents have faced challenges getting to work, school, medical appointments, and other essential destinations," DePeña said.
"I appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in reaching a resolution and restoring this important service to our community."
The agreement follows more than six months of negotiations, MeVa Administrator Noah Berger said at a press conference July 1.
The agency has proposed wage increases totaling more than 25 percent over three years, including more than 15 percent in the first year, while maintaining 100 percent company-paid health insurance, an approximately 85 percent increase in pension contributions, and additional personal days.
Union leaders said the primary concern was management's proposal to change Saturday scheduling and compensation.
According to Local 170, the proposal would have reduced overtime pay for Saturday work and required employees with less seniority to work weekends.
However, the one-year agreement reached over the weekend "preserves Saturday overtime" and "provides both parties the opportunity to work with outside resources to resolve the remaining issue over Saturday work," Marks said.
Workers will also receive a $4 wage bump in the first year, along with "solid increases" in pension and health and welfare benefits, the union said in a Facebook post .
"Our members stepped up, showed leadership, and did their part to get this agreement across the finish line.
We expect the same commitment from everyone involved as we move forward," Marks said.
"Now our members are ready to get back behind the wheel and provide the safe, reliable service that Merrimack Valley riders depend on."
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