CAT’s drivers scratch contract

Friday, May 10, 2002 | 11:05 a.m.

Drivers and mechanics voted overwhelmingly this week to reject a contract from the company running Clark County's public bus system, moving one step closer to a threatened strike.

Frank Opdyke, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1637, said 98 percent of rank-and-file workers voted Wednesday and Thursday to reject the contract, characterized last week by the operating company as a "final offer."

The union has one obstacle to declaring a strike or other action: Federal mediator David Martinez has ordered the drivers and the system's operating company, ATC, back to the table Monday for a final round of negotiations.

"I thought there was a small window of opportunity," Martinez said. "I'm a mediator. I'm optimistic."

Opdyke did not welcome the order.

"We were told by the mediators that we have to go back to negotiations," he said. "But I don't see any movement. It just sounds to me like it is frivolous."

ATC management has indicated it is "willing to tweak the offer," but suggested large scale revisions are not likely. Valerie Michael, ATC spokeswoman, said the company is committed to continuing full service, with replacement workers if necessary.

The union represents about 800 workers that run the Citizens Area Transit system. The system of 51 routes throughout Clark County serves about 150,000 people daily, many of whom depend on the buses for essential transportation to and from work, doctors' offices and other needs.

Sticking points for the union are the size of wage increases, especially for senior drivers, and the health insurance package. According to the union, the contract would require members to cover half of all future medical insurance increases.

Opdyke noted that similar issues regarding health insurance are dividing the powerful Culinary Union and hotel management in ongoing talks. The Culinary contract expires May 31.

Under the terms of the contract, drivers now making $11 an hour would see that increase to $14.25 in 2006. Drivers making $14 an hour now, the top earners, would get a smaller increase, to $16.

Drivers with family health insurance would pay $120 a month.

"Pennies just doesn't do it in this day and age," Opdyke said. "Then asking us to pay for our health insurance ... we just can't do it."

A five-year veteran driver agreed.

"Unless they give us a better proposal, something to take to the members, it's just going to be turned down again," said a driver who asked to remain anonymous because she feared retribution from the management company.

"I would really like to work it out without any kind of legal action," she said. "But there's a lot of frustration."

She said drivers have considered a strike, a work slowdown and other actions.

Michael, the ATC spokeswoman, said the company hopes to avoid a work action of any kind.

"We truly believe that our employees would rather continue to serve the public while the negotiations go on," she said.

But if a strike occurs, the company, with branches throughout the United States, has plans to bring in replacement workers. The company directly operates or manages 19 bus services throughout the country, including a half-dozen in California and two in Arizona.

ATC's contract with the Regional Transportation Commission, the public agency with final authority over the system, requires that there be no interruption of service.

"Our plan is to keep service on the road," Michael said.

RTC officials have said they are relying on the company to keep service going, but will work with management if service cuts are inevitable.

The union has said it does not believe enough drivers and mechanics can be imported to keep the system operating at full service.