Many routes still without service

Tuesday, May 21, 2002 | 11:09 a.m.

A strike by drivers of the regional bus system rolled into its second day this morning, with pickets vowing to march until the operating company caves on wage, benefits and holiday issues.

Amalgamated Transit Local 1637 walked out Monday at 3 a.m. without warning. Bus operator ATC called in replacement workers Monday, but many routes ran hours late -- or not at all -- in the early morning.

Union members who work for ATC -- the company that operates the Citizens Area Transit service for the Regional Transportation Commission -- have gone without a contract for five months. The union said it reached an impasse with the company over wages, holidays and time off. Most of the union's 700 members walked out leaving the bus system scrambling to fill routes.

An RTC spokeswoman said Monday afternoon that about 50 percent of buses were running and most but not all routes were covered. This morning that figure was up to about 60 percent, RTC spokeswoman Ingrid Reisman said.

The company operating the system put the figure higher. ATC spokeswoman Valerie Michael said routes were back to 70 or 80 percent of their pre-strike levels by Monday afternoon.

"Our goal is 100 percent," she said.

RTC General Manager Jacob Snow said the staff is "focusing what limited resources are available on our most heavily traveled routes."

He said RTC staff is working overtime, monitoring the bus routes, the picket lines and the buses themselves.

The bus system operator has a powerful motivation in serving all routes on time -- penalties levied under the terms of ATC's contract with the Regional Transportation Commission call for $300 fines for late buses and $500 fines for buses that miss routes by more than 20 minutes.

RTC and company officials could not provide immediate analysis of the financial impact, but the numbers are quickly adding up. As of this morning 13 routes were not running, according to the RTC.

Delays could be expected systemwide, Reisman said.

RTC officials urged riders to check the Internet at wwww.rtc.co.clark.nv.us for updated lists of routes that are not operating. Riders can also call 228-7433, although that number has sometimes been overwhelmed.

Michael said that for now, the company is not discussing fines with the RTC but instead focusing on providing service to routes that most need buses.

Despite the economic incentives to get the drivers back on the job, Michael said the company is standing firm with an offer that would provide 3 to 10 percent yearly raises over five years.

Bus drivers also have a financial incentive to settle, Local 1637 President Frank Opdyke agreed. Although the union has a local and national strike fund, drivers will feel the bite of lost wages, he said.

"The funds will not cover all of it," he said.

Nonetheless, union officials said they are also determined to stick to their last offer, which would provide raises about double that of the company's over a two-year contract.

Also dividing the company and the union are questions about benefits and holidays.

Although union officials say they want to keep the picket lines "friendly," a handful of incidents have occurred.

Union officials say two picketers were hit by buses. In an incident this morning, a picketer was taken to the hospital after being tapped with a bus -- although Opdyke said the picketer was back on the line within a few hours.

Both the company and the union said some drivers and mechanics were braving the picket lines, joining replacement workers the company brought in from out-of-state.

ATC's Michael said those crossing the picket lines appreciate the company's latest contract offer, which she argued the union has not fully explained to the strikers.

"They want to work," she said. "They've done their work, they know the offers. They like the company. It's that simple."

But Opdyke said any strike will find some workers crossing the line.

"We'll always have scabs," he said. "Some of them are going to drive. We understand that.

"But what they might not understand is that they are only going to prolong the strike."