Rejected: 92% of MCTS bus drivers union members vote "no" on latest contract



MILWAUKEE -- Leaders of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998, the MCTS bus drivers union, said on Monday evening, October 5th union members voted to REJECT the latest contract being offered by Milwaukee County.

ATU Local 998 members vote on new contract



Local 998 leaders say the vote was 92% to reject the proposed contract -- and authorize a "work action," if necessary, as determined by union leaders.

James Macon, president of ATU Local 998 tells FOX6 News the next step is arbitration, and that a strike has not been planned or authorized at this point.

Union leaders say a letter has been sent to MCTS officials -- requesting they come back to the bargaining table to resume negotiations.

Macon said this in a statement:

"It’s time for MCTS to come back to the table and work honestly toward a fair contract that Milwaukee transit workers can accept in good conscience–one that retains full-time, professional transit workers and does not compromise the quality or availability of service.

Today, ATU Local 998 members sent a strong message to MCTS and County Executive Abele that we will not stand by and let them turn our careers into part time jobs.

We will not be accepting the company's outrageous demand for part-time bus operators that would work unlimited hours without benefits. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Milwaukee transit workers deserve full-time, family sustaining careers; not part-time poverty!

If Dan Boehm had spent half as much time drafting a fair contract as he has writing deceptive letters to our members, we’d probably have reached an agreement by now.

Return to the bargaining table, take it to arbitration, or take your chances with the workers you insulted with this proposal. Those are the options for MCTS and Chris Abele at this point.”


MCTS issued this statement:

"MCTS remains committed to reaching a deal that is fair to drivers and mechanics while also ensuring a fiscally sustainable and strong transit system for the tens of thousands of people who rely on it every day.

The contract that was voted down included millions of dollars in wages and benefits and represented months of hard work by MCTS, ATU and the federal mediator, who helped negotiate this latest proposal."


MCTS



Details of the contract (according to MCTS):

Increased wages


    Slight increase in health care costs


      Part-time drivers


        Ahead of Monday's vote, MCTS officials encouraged Local 998 members to "seriously consider" the contract they will be voting on -- issuing this statement to FOX6 News:

        "The contract offer comes after months of meetings between MCTS, ATU and the federal mediator. The contract offer includes millions of dollars in increased wages, a top-tier health care plan and numerous concessions requested by the union.

        MCTS Managing Director Dan Boehm sent a letter this weekend to ATU members outlining the contract and clarifying some of the misinformation union leaders have been attempting to spread, particularly around pay, health care and part-time drivers.

        In his letter to employees, Boehm wrote, “I have one goal; get a contract in place that recognizes the important work you do while also making sure we have a strong transit system for years to come. For reasons that are unclear to me, ATU leadership is intent on making this contract about politics and issues that are unrelated to the job of serving the community.  Your vote for this contract will provide the stability that our passengers and our employees are seeking.  Let’s get negotiations behind us, and get back to the business of focusing full-time on transit for the community.”


        An inability to reach a contract agreement led to a three-day strike during Summerfest back in July. MCTS buses were out of service for 72 hours, as bus drivers worked the picket lines.

        MCTS bus drivers strike



        As union members cast their votes on Monday, there were sticking points up to the very end.

        "There are way too many part-time workers," Donnell Shorter, MCTS body mechanic said.

        James Macon, president of ATU Local 998



        "My members realize, they are not buying into their crap," Macon said. "They want to give (the part-time drivers) 20 hours, and then they can volunteer to work as many hours as they want to."

        MCTS officials say part-timers would not work more than full-time operators who are guaranteed 30 to 40 hours per week. They also wouldn't pay into or receive a pension.

        "Why would you want to bring someone in and work full time hours and not give them pension and benefits?  That`s ridiculous," Macon said.

        "I think it`s more fear mongering and misrepresentation intentionally by the union," Brendan Conway, MCTS spokesman said.

        Brendan Conway, MCTS spokesman



        Salary is the other big sticking point. While MCTS claims a total five-and-a-half percent increase in wages, union leaders say increases to insurance premiums and deductibles will mean fewer take-home dollars.

        "They`d still have about $800 more in their pocket in those two years," Conway said.

        While union leaders aren't calling for another strike at this point, Macon is calling for arbitration -- where a third party would settle this contract issue.

        "Let`s go to arbitration. If you want to get something done, let`s go back to the table," Macon said.

        It is unclear when arbitration could begin, but Macon tells FOX6 News he's already filed the paperwork to begin the process.

        MCTS bus