Omnitrans Alerts Riders After Bus Drivers Threaten Strike
Union Sets Oct. 12 Walkout After Rejecting a $65 Million Offer by Omnitrans
That Would Raise Wages and Benefits by 13.5%
SAN BERNARDINO, CA -The Omnitrans bus drivers union, ATU Local 1704, has announced a tentative strike date of Friday, October 12th after rejecting a contract offer by Omnitrans that would raise wages and benefits by 13.5% over the next three years.
Although Omnitrans remains hopeful that ongoing negotiations set for next week will resolve the contract issues, the transit agency is alerting its riders that a strike called by the Union will result in significant reductions to Omnitrans service.
A strike called by drivers will result in reduced service on some routes and will require the remaining routes to be temporarily shut down. Omnitrans will not be charging fares to its riders during this strike action, given the reduced availability of buses and routes.
Riders should expect delays as overloading may occur. Omnitrans will use properly licensed supervisory and support personnel to provide as much service as possible if the Union calls a strike.
A strike will not impact Omnitrans’ Access curb-to-curb van service for disabled riders, or Omnilink service in Yucaipa and Chino Hills as this service is operated by a private contractor, First Transit, Inc.
“Clearly, we’re very disappointed that our coach operators are threatening to strike and disrupt the lives of the seniors, students and workers who make 50,000 trips on our buses each weekday,” said Penny Lilburn, vice chair of Omnitrans Board of Directors.
“We presented ATU with a generous offer that will cost taxpayers $65 million over three years. We will continue to work to try to resolve this impasse,” Lilburn said.
ATU represents roughly 445 Omnitrans bus drivers. Omnitrans and ATU leaders have met 29 times since January regarding the terms of a new three-year contract. The previous contract ended March 31, 2007.
Omnitrans’ latest offer, rejected by the Union on August 31, addressed many of the demands made by union leaders, such as the creation of a new retiree healthcare account, paid bereavement time and improved benefits that would save drivers with families up to $315 per month in out-of-pocket healthcare insurance costs – a savings of more than 60%.
Eight out of 10 Omnitrans’ drivers would pay $0 to $6 per month for their health insurance under the proposal rejected by the Union.
Omnitrans’ offer provided a 13.5% increase in wages and benefits over the three-year contract. Omnitrans employees would receive a 3% wage increase each year of the contract, surpassing the average U.S. Transit System wage increase of 2.63% for last year. Omnitrans drivers would have the higher starting hourly rates than transit drivers in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties under the proposed offer.
The $65 million proposal represents 16 concessions by Omnitrans, and no material concessions by the Union.
“Like any family or business, we must live within our budget. Despite such constraints, we still fulfilled virtually all of the union’s demands,” said Durand Rall, CEO/General Manager of Omnitrans.
Omnitrans officials are working to keep their customers informed about the status of the contact negotiations and the possible impact to service if the Union calls a walkout.
Bus riders can get additional information by calling (800) 966-6428 or by visiting Omnitrans’ website, www.omnitrans.org.
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