STUART, Fla. —
Four days after Martin County’s public bus system abruptly shut down, the union representing MARTY transit workers says employees were given no warning that they were about to lose their jobs.
The sudden shutdown last Thursday left bus drivers without work and residents who rely on MARTY without regular public transportation.
According to the union, some workers showed up shortly after 5 a.m. Thursday, only to learn they no longer had jobs.
Now, union leaders are demanding accountability and say they plan to file an unfair labor practice charge.
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Four days after Martin County’s public bus system abruptly shut down, the union representing MARTY transit workers says employees were given no warning they were about to lose their jobs.
For former MARTY bus driver Yorlyn Bingham, the shutdown came during an already difficult time.
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Just one day after losing her job, Bingham said she received a cancer diagnosis, adding to her concerns about how she will support herself financially.
“I was diagnosed with cancer on Friday. I have an operation on the 22nd. I have no way to pay my bills,” Bingham said. “I’m just trying to hold it down. I have loans I have to pay for, and I don’t know how I’m going to do it.”
Martin County Transit LLC, the private company who operated MARTY, abruptly stopped providing service last Thursday.
The company cited rising insurance, fuel and maintenance costs, telling WPBF 25 News it had been losing approximately $70,000 per month operating the bus system.
County officials previously told WPBF 25 News they had been negotiating with the company over its contract. According to the county, Martin County Transit LLC provided a 180-day notice of its intention to terminate the contract approximately two weeks before the shutdown.
However, the company notified the county Thursday morning that it was ending service immediately.
Joey Acevedo, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1577, which represents the workers, said the sudden shutdown has turned employees’ lives upside down, leaving many without their primary source of income.
“To leave these people unemployed like that is unfair and is unjust,” Acevedo said. “Especially when they took on a contract where they bid it on, and they accepted, the contract is status quo.”
Acevedo said the union is planning to file an unfair labor practice charge in response to how workers were treated.
Meanwhile, Martin County officials say they are exploring both short-term and long-term solutions to restore public transportation. No timeline has been announced for when MARTY service could start again.
For Bingham, the uncertainty surrounding her employment comes as she prepares for surgery and faces other financial troubles.
“We got bills too,” Bingham said. “We have things that we have to do to and there is no one to reach out to help us.”
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Martin County tells WPBF 25 News an update will be presented to county commissioners at their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday.
WPBF 25 News also reached out to Martin County Transit LLC for comment on the union’s planned unfair labor practice charge and is waiting to hear back.