CCTA alerts passengers to possible service disruption if drivers strike Monday

Out of concern and respect for passengers, CCTA is advising the public that a potential strike by its drivers’ Union could interrupt service beginning Monday, March 10, 2014, it said in a statement issued Thursday.
Teamsters Local Number 597, the drivers’ Union at CCTA, has indicated to CCTA the potential for a labor action beginning Monday, and public comments by the union’s surrogates suggest it is planning for a strike, despite the fact that negotiations are planned to resume this Saturday.
If CCTA drivers do not report to work on Monday, March 10, no public transportation service provided by CCTA drivers will operate. The services cancelled would include all CCTA local routes, local commuter routes, and LINK Express routes, with the exception of the Montpelier LINK Express trips and 116 Commuter trips operated by non-Union drivers.
CCTA said in a statement that it is committed to operating a safe, affordable and reliable system for its communities and values the contributions of its drivers. A labor action that disrupts the delivery of this vital public service is not a productive way to resolve the remaining differences. CCTA stated it believes it is possible to fully resolve the remaining issues at a mediated session this Saturday, March 8 and hopes the Union will choose to maintain the transit services so many Vermonters rely on.
THE ISSUES
Given the potential for the Union to halt service, the public statements of the Union’s surrogates and the significant impact the Union’s decision to strike would have on passengers, CCTA wants passengers and the public to understand the issues involved.
– Fair Compensation – CCTA drivers are the second highest paid transit drivers in northern New England. The base wage, not including overtime or benefits, for a CCTA driver with one or more years of service is $42,494 per year. Total compensation ranges from $53,893 to $71,535.
– Work Hours – To increase the number of full-time Union jobs, CCTA has agreed to a Union proposal to change the maximum span of a split shift to 13.5 hours.
– Part-time Driver Positions – CCTA has proposed a reduction in the maximum number of part-time drivers from the current 13 to seven.
– Commitment to Safety – CCTA has not proposed any changes to the mandatory rest time for drivers. CCTA takes safety very seriously and is proud of its safety record, which compares well to similar transit systems nationwide. System monitoring through on-board cameras and field supervision are responsible steps CCTA takes to ensure the safety of passengers and employees and give additional peace of mind to the parents who rely on our system to transport their children to and from school.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON NEGOTIATIONS
Customers seeking additional information on the labor negotiations, including the findings of an independent fact finder, should visit cctaride.org/news-and-events/ CCTA will provide updates as more information becomes available. In the event of a labor action, CCTA has a communication plan in place for the general public and other impacted parties that will be implemented immediately.
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