DeCamp Service To Resume On Wednesday

Commuters can breathe a sigh of relief. The DeCamp strike finally appears to be coming to a close, after more than a week of harsh words and slow-moving negotiations between union officials and management.

On the DeCamp Bus Company's Web site, there's a new alert reading: "DeCamp Bus Lines and the union representing the drivers, mechanics and cleaners have agreed to a cooling off period. DeCamp commuter service will resume on Wednesday September 15, 2010. DeCamp Bus Lines apologizes for the inconvenience this problem has caused commuters. We thank all our passengers for their understanding during this difficult time."

Amalgamated Transit Union Chairman John Costa told Patch on Saturday that: "With the help of [State Assemblyman] Tom Giblin strikers voted to go back to work on a cooling off period and the company agrees no retaliation."

On Friday, Giblin had said that — because bus drivers earn about $40,000 a year — this week's strike has resulted in a substantial loss of wages for workers, but he also pointed out that the strike has hurt DeCamp financially as well.

DeCamp workers, who have been working without a contract since 2009, went on strike September 2 to protest proposed cuts to employee wages and pension benefits.

Since then, thousands of commuters have been forced to find alternatives for getting to work, with many turning to New Jersey Transit buses and trains.