MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Transit System union members voted overwhelmingly to reject the most recent contract supply on Friday.
The backstory:
The transit union president stated 90% of union members voted to disclaim the one-year contract. Now, it is again to the bargaining desk – however a strike remains possible.
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Bus drivers and mechanics accepted a possible strike final week after months of negotiations with out agreeing on a brand new contract. The union and MCTS continued to barter and, ultimately, either side reached a suggestion for a one-year deal as a substitute of the three-year deal that was initially being negotiated.
Union members voted on and rejected that one-year supply on Friday. The union wouldn’t disclose particulars of what was supplied from the bus firm.
Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU)
What they’re saying:
Union President Bruce Freeman stated, shifting ahead, they are going to solely be coming to the desk to barter three-year contracts. The negotiations have been centered on not solely wages however higher safety.
“We don’t actually have a timeframe for that,” Freeman stated of a possible strike. “If we get again to negotiations, and we see some progress, that sort of eases the discuss of the strike.
“If we proceed to go on the fee we’re going, I imply, we’ve been on the desk because the finish of January, and we have now little or no achieved.”
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In an announcement, MCTS stated:
“We’re disillusioned {that a} contract has not been reached, however we respect the rights of our workers. Our aim hasn’t modified—we wish a good, sustainable settlement for our bus operators, mechanics, and cleaner/tankers that permits us to maintain MCTS operating easily for the riders who rely upon us. We stay up for persevering with talks with the Union.”
Freeman additionally stated negotiations may doubtlessly proceed subsequent week.
Dig deeper:
Because it pertains to the negotiation matter of improved safety, Freeman instructed FOX6 {that a} rider attacked a 70-year-old bus driver on Friday. FOX6 Information reached out to the Milwaukee Police Division however didn’t instantly hear again.
Freeman stated the bus driver was taken to a hospital and is predicted to be OK.
The Supply: FOX6 Information interviewed the union president and referenced prior protection of contract negotiations between the union and MCTS.
