Bus Union Threatens Strike By October 25
Demands new contract proposal by then. Transit officials say they will meet the deadline.
The union representing transit workers has set a date for the beginning of their strike, if the last contract offer from the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) does not change.
Amalgamated Transit Union 998 sent a proposal to MCTS on October 9th. And union President James Macon said the transit company has two weeks from the date of the letter to respond to their contract proposal. MCTS officials plan to have a response to the union on or before that date.
The union wants movement from management on wages. Specifically, Macon said he wants drivers to see at least half the wage increase given to mechanics in the last contract offer from MCTS. If there is no movement, Macon warns that Milwaukee County residents will wake up on the morning of October 25th and find no buses running.
Macon and the ATU set the date for a strike because his membership, having voted down the contract in early September, are anxious for a resolution to the negotiations, even if that means calling a strike. “They’re tired of waiting for MCTS,” Macon said.
In August, MCTS submitted their final contract offer to the union. Roughly a month later the union voted to reject the contract. It also approved the authority to call a strike for their board. In the intervening time, the union has been preparing, getting membership “strike ready”. Union leaders have been working with members to ensure they are prepared for a work stoppage, and have a plan in place to get their message out should a strike happen.
In the final contract offer MCTS gave mechanics in the transit union a significant pay raise. The raise was intended to bring mechanic pay in line with market demand, MCTS officials said. But Macon saw it as a backdoor deal.
Holton said MCTS is analyzing the fiscal impact of the wage increases Macon has asked for and they will meet the union’s proposal deadline.
If you think stories like this are important, become a member of Urban Milwaukee and help support real independent journalism. Plus you get some cool added benefits, all detailed here.
MKE County
-
Volunteers Clean Up Abandoned Building in Harambee
Jul 1st, 2023 by Graham Kilmer -
Special Public Hearing Scheduled On County Sales Tax Increase
Jun 30th, 2023 by Graham Kilmer -
MCTS Ending Giveaway of New Fare Cards
Jun 29th, 2023 by Graham Kilmer
Transportation
-
MCTS Ending Giveaway of New Fare Cards
Jun 29th, 2023 by Graham Kilmer -
Switching To Electric Vehicles Would Save Milwaukee County Money
Jun 29th, 2023 by Graham Kilmer -
Water Street Could Become Pedestrian Haven in Third Ward
Jun 29th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene