Seems that something has shifted in the Capmetro contract negotiations: It seems that contractor Startran Inc. and union Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1091 may come to terms, and normal service may resume at the beginning of the week. In a press statement released at 9.44pm Friday, Capmetro announced that “StarTran and ATU 1091 have tentatively agreed on a contract. The Union membership must vote on the contract proposal, but the tentative agreement will bring employees back to work Monday morning.”

See below the fold for the full press release

Austin, Texas – Tonight, StarTran, a nonprofit contactor that employs most of Capital Metro’s bus and paratransit operators and mechanics, reached a tentative agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1091. Before the contact offer is officially accepted, it will be presented to the Union membership for approval next week. The Union has agreed that they will return to work for full-service beginning Monday morning.

“We are pleased to have reached a tentative labor agreement so we can return to providing a critical service to this community,” said StarTran General Manager Terry Garcia Crews. “This compensation and benefits package will help ensure the long-term sustainability of the public transportation system in central Texas.”

This article appears in November 7 • 2008.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.