Bus drivers’ union talks break down

Friday, May 17, 2002 | 10:31 a.m.

Talks between the bus drivers union and the company that runs the local bus system have broken down, opening the door to a strike that could affect the system as early as next week.

Frank Opdyke, president of Amalgamated Transit Union local 1637, said a strike by drivers and mechanics is unlikely to occur before Monday. Under the terms of the negotiations, both the company and the union are prohibited from launching a work action for 48 hours after the end of the talks.

But within hours of the cutoff in negotiations, both camps began firing sharply worded criticisms at each other.

The union represents about 800 workers for the Citizens Area Transit system, an agency of the Regional Transportation Commission. The agencies contract out the system's operation to ATC, a multinational company that has promised to bring in replacement workers if there is a strike.

Although the drivers authorized a strike two weeks ago, the union would still need time to talk over any work action with the members, Opdyke said.

"I don't think anything would happen over the weekend," he said.

Talks broke down Thursday after about six hours. The two sides had met Monday and Tuesday after the union members rejected a contract offer last week.

"We reached an impasse," Opdyke said. "The mediator agreed we were at an impasse, and neither side could move anymore, so he cut us off."

David Martinez, the federal mediator who has tried to bring the two sides together since December, said he is disappointed with the result of Thursday's negotiations.

"I ended the mediation after I asked each side very specifically if they were capable of any more movement, and both sides said no," Martinez said. "But you know, I don't think we're done. Both want to settle this."

Martinez said he could reopen the talks if either side requested or if he saw a possibility for compromise.

Both the company and the union have put forth new contract proposals.

According to Opdyke, the union's most recent proposal asked for a 7 percent wage increase over two years, seven days of holiday pay next year and no change to the company-paid health insurance policy.

The company's proposal for five years included a 15 to 40 percent wage hike, with new drivers getting the greatest increase, a requirement that workers pay part of health insurance, and no extra pay on holidays.

Val Michael, ATC spokeswoman, said the union's offer was not as presented to the media.

"The union's statements to the media regarding wages and holiday pay, two major issues, are not even close to what they are actually proposing," Michael said Thursday night.

She said the union was asking for pay raises up to 26 percent including a cost of living adjustment, seven holidays and six more paid days off. Company officials said the average worker already receives more than 30 paid days off per year including vacations.

"The union was not accurately communicating their demands to the media or to the union members," Michael said.

Opdyke also criticized the company, arguing that ATC, which is owned by a British corporation, National Express Group, is sending money overseas.

"Their only commitment to the negotiating process was to their bottom line," Opdyke said. "They're sucking our money from the Las Vegas Valley and sending it back to Britain.

"I've got nothing against the Brits, but money that's made in the Las Vegas Valley should stay in the Las Vegas Valley."