Media Contact: Randol White, 415-515-7624
SamTrans expects bus operations will return to normal on Monday, following a series of sick-outs, organized by operators, that disrupted service last week.
Roughly 30% of SamTrans bus operators called out sick on Thursday and Friday, prompting the bus agency to rearrange schedules to minimize service disruptions for thousands of riders. SamTrans was able to avoid any major service disruptions over the weekend.
“We are happy see the return of operators so we can focus on our main priority — providing reliable, efficient and safe bus service to our customers,” said SamTrans General Manager/CEO April Chan. “We remain committed to finding a resolution for our ongoing labor dispute, and we want to again thank the public for their patience and loyalty as we deal with these issues.”
SamTrans first started preparing for a sick-out late last month, after members of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1574 rejected a three-year contract proposal that was supported by union leadership.
Although service disruptions did not materialize last month, SamTrans leaned on that previous planning to ease disruptions caused by Thursday and Friday’s unexpected sick-out.
SamTrans remains committed to finding a contract resolution and continues to be ready to work collaboratively with ATU leadership. Typically, it is the responsibility of union leadership to come forward with a contract proposal that builds on the understandings reached over five months of negotiations.
The historic contract proposal rejected by the union on Aug. 14 called for a wage increase of 4% this fiscal year, followed by 3.5% increases the following two fiscal years, plus targeted equity pay adjustments to improve competitiveness of the District’s salaries for key positions. For example, Bus Operators would have earned a total 18.3% pay increase over the next three years, while Mechanics, Utility Workers, and Storekeepers would have earned a total 21.9% pay increase over the next three years.
SamTrans believes the negotiated offer, supported by union leadership, was fair and equitable while balancing the agency’s obligations to the taxpayers of San Mateo County who help fund SamTrans.
ATU Local 1574 represents nearly 400 members in the following units:
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Bus operators
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Mechanics
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Utility workers
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Storekeepers
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Customer service representatives and receptionists
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About SamTrans:
The San Mateo County Transit District operates 74 routes and two on-demand service areas. Funded in part by a half-cent sales tax, the district also provides administrative support for Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. SamTrans has provided bus service to San Mateo County customers since 1976.
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