Bus drivers union reviews latest offer for new contract

Tuesday, April 30, 2002 | 11:01 a.m.

Bus drivers for the regional Citizens Area Transit have received a "final contract offer," and their labor union leadership is now reviewing the package.

About 900 members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1637 could vote on the package next week, Local President Frank Opdyke said. If they vote to reject the offer, the workers could be on strike by the end of next week, he said.

Opdyke said a strike "is a real possibility, but we're not there yet."

Workers last Friday authorized a strike if negotiations fail to produce an acceptable contract. Opdyke said 96 percent of the workers authorized the strike.

ATC, the company that manages the bus system under contract to the Regional Transportation Commission, has vowed to bring in replacement workers if a work action affects the bus service.

Valerie Michael, ATC spokeswoman, said the company believes its offer is "very, very fair," but didn't reveal details.

The buses serve about 150,000 people a day on 51 routes throughout Clark County.

The contract between ATC and the bus workers expired in December. The contract has been extended several times while federally mediated negotiations continued.