Akron’s METRO bus drivers plan to take a strike vote later this month, following the union’s rejection of a fact-finder’s recommendation that would have given workers a lump-sum payment but not retroactive raises.
Strike Vote Details
The Transport Workers Union Local 1 vote will take place June 30, President Wayne Cole said in a text message. A majority vote would give the union the power to call a strike against METRO at a time of its choosing. The union must give 10 days’ notice before striking.
In a statement, METRO said the system has not received formal communication regarding a potential strike vote. “METRO remains focused on good-faith bargaining and continuing to provide safe, reliable service to the community,” the statement said.
A spokesperson did not respond to a question about whether METRO intended to return to the bargaining table. Cole, in a text message, said he’s heard nothing from management.
Union Demands
Union leaders said workers are furious about how they’ve been treated by management after three years without a raise. “Akron Metro has treated transit workers like second-class citizens, with disrespect and contempt,” Cole said. “We do not want to strike but if that’s what it takes to get a fair contract, we will strike.”
The union’s more than 300 bus operators, vehicle maintenance workers and clerical workers voted 294-2 to reject the fact-finder’s proposal that the METRO board accepted in an 11-1 vote the day before.
Original reporting: Signal Akron — read the source article.
