PALMDALE, Calif. -- An ongoing contract dispute may start to affect some Antelope Valley bus riders as there may be a possible bus driver strike.
Contract negotiations between AVTA’s bus drivers and the transit system’s contracted provider, Transdev, are at a standstill.
The bus driver’s union had their contract expire in December of last year and have been on a month to month contract basis since, with the most recent one expiring on Feb. 28. The union has been unable to find a common ground with Transdev, for reasons they say are about their member’s safety and pay.
“I think their wages are their biggest concern because they feel that they’re being underpaid,” said Teamsters Local 848 Secretary/Treasurer Eric Tate.
The union covers about 120 bus operators. Transdev says they are committed to finding an agreement, and on March 2 submitted what they say, is their best offer.
“There’s a lot of good in this contract. I just think we need to get through the education process, make sure that people are well informed, and continue to serve our passengers; which is really what’s most important to us all,” said Transdev Regional Vice-President, Katrina Heineking.
That final offer will be voted on by Teamsters Local 848 on Saturday, but until it’s worked out, bus drivers are preparing to strike. Meanwhile, AVTA promises to do everything they can, so that riders will not be stranded. They say they’ve reached out to Metrolink in case of disrupted service and has operators that will be available “on-call.”
If the proposed strike becomes a reality, local transit riders will be able to find route and schedule updates on AVTA’s Facebook page, as well as on their Twitter.