Contract negotiations heating up

Friday, Dec. 21, 2001 | 9:48 a.m.

Labor and management involved in negotiations over a new drivers' contract for the region's bus service are ratcheting up language in preparation for the resumption of talks next month.

ATC, a Chicago-based transport company that manages the bus system under contract to the Regional Transportation Commission, said it will import workers if local drivers go on strike.

On the labor side, the union representing about 900 drivers and mechanics for the RTC's Citizens Area Transport system says it has enough support from other unions to shut down the entire system if it comes to a strike.

The company has been in negotiations with drivers from Amalgamated Transit Union local 1637 throughout the year. The existing contract was due to expire Dec. 31, but by mutual consent was extended to Feb. 1. The parties also agreed to a federal mediator to assist with the talks.

Local President Frank Opdyke said he is aware of the threat of "scab" workers, but the threat won't deter his negotiators. Issues include pay and benefits for the union members.

"They (ATC) threaten us and try to intimidate us constantly," he said. "As far as bringing in someone from outside, it would only prolong any work action. It wouldn't stop it.

"We could shut it (the CAT system) down," he said.

Opdyke said other unions would honor a strike by his AFL-CIO affiliated workers and would refuse to board CAT system buses throughout the Las Vegas Valley. The system provides about 52 million rides annually.

He said other unions would refuse to provide gasoline and other services for the bus system, shutting it down within days.

The RTC is not a direct party in the contract talks and directs inquiries on the contract issue to the company and labor union.

But Jacob Snow, RTC general manager, said his agency doesn't "expect any interruption in service."

But officials with ATC don't appear to be as confident.

"We are prepared to do everything we can to ensure that there is as little interruption to service as humanly possible," said Valerie Michael, ATC spokeswoman. "We have companies all over the country that have qualified operators that they will send in to assist us in the event we have a need for that.

"We are prepared and have the resources," she said.

ATC has managed the local bus system since 1993. The RTC contracts with the company to provide service throughout the Las Vegas Valley, Mesquite and Laughlin. Last year, the bus service provided about 52 million trips for locals and visitors.