After a 10-month negotiation process, CapMetro workers and transit subcontractor Keolis are still at odds over desired wages, time off, and better training. After rejecting the company\u2019s most recent offer, the union representing CapMetro workers, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1091, announced Tuesday, June 30, that 99.5% of its members have voted to authorize a strike.<\/p>\n
Brent Payne, president for ATU Local 1091, said that a strike is now \u201chighly likely.\u201d<\/p>\n
The disputes between the union and Keolis have resulted in months-long negotiations about how to move forward. In May, the union asked workers to not take overtime shifts<\/a> after Keolis stalled negotiations. Though the contract was \u201cmaybe 60%\u201d complete, Payne said that the offer did not meet all of the employees\u2019 requests, resulting in the workers declining the deal.<\/p>\n \u201cThe best and final that they gave us still didn\u2019t have benefits for my UT shuttle operators. They work full-time hours, meaning they work 40-hour workweeks, but they do not give them any kind of benefits,\u201d Payne said. \u201cWe\u2019re not close on a couple of issues.\u201d<\/p>\n Payne told us that the subcontractor\u2019s final offer also did not include overtime pay for administrative employees, and offered a 12% pay increase over three years, coming up short of the union\u2019s ask for 14% over the same period. According to the union, over 75% of CapMetro workers can\u2019t afford to live in Austin. \u201cOur members feel very strongly that everybody should have the same benefit package,\u201d Payne said.<\/p>\n The union has also pointed out the need for better training<\/a> and adequate time off that is standard for transit workers across the industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n With a potential strike around the corner, Payne said that Austinites who typically use the public transportation system will likely be impacted. \u201cWe cover everything from big bus to all maintenance and UT shuttle operations. That\u2019s everything in fixed route,\u201d Payne said. \u201cI would say a strike would severely disable the city of Austin.\u201d<\/p>\n In response to the employees\u2019 decision to authorize a strike, Keolis said that it is still open to more negotiations. In a statement to the Chronicle, the company wrote that it has \u201ccontinued to engage in good-faith bargaining and remain committed to maintaining a collaborative and respectful relationship. We are working with our union partners to schedule dates in early July to continue negotiations in an effort to reach an agreement that is in the best interest of our employees, the union, and our company.\u201d<\/p>\n Payne said he will soon meet with Keolis representatives to continue the discussions. \u201cWhen they say \u2018good faith,\u2019 I don\u2019t feel it\u2019s always in good faith. There are some issues,\u201d Payne said. \u201cIf we don\u2019t get an opportunity to, in good faith, go back to the table, we will be on strike. But I\u2019m going to give Keolis that opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n