Phoenix bus strike enters 7th day, little headway made in contract talks
Jan 14, 2016, 8:36 AM
(Facebook Photo)
(Facebook Photo)
PHOENIX — The Phoenix bus strike reached the one-week mark Thursday and there has been little headway made in the negotiations between the drivers’ union and the company in charge of the city buses.
Drivers voted to walk off the job Jan. 7, after talks with Transdev broke down.
Transdev operates 34 of the city’s bus routes, which are some of the most used, with about 80,000 weekday boardings.
City officials said the number of routes available to riders had increased to 13, all running on a Saturday service level or in limited service.
RT @PhoenixMetroBus: UPDATE #2: routes on limited (hour frquency or more) Sat service 0,7,8,16,19,27,35,50,60,70,90,106,170 @valleymetro
— Valley Metro (@valleymetro) January 14, 2016
The Arizona Republic reported the company could face large fines if service isn’t bumped up soon.
Transdev and the bus drivers union, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1433, have been in contract discussions since last April.
Sides went back to the bargaining table on the first day of the strike, but couldn’t reach agreement.
Among the major sticking points: bereavement time, bathroom breaks and a tiered payment system.
Transdev officials said the company has made a generous offer in good faith.
Light rail and other lines were operating as usual.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
