Some Community Transit workers began picketing Wednesday at the Lynnwood Transit Center in hopes of gaining public support and push for negotiations with Snohomish County Community Transit.
Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1576 began picketing at 5 a.m. and were scheduled to stay at the park-and-ride facility until 7 p.m. The union represents drivers, dispatchers, instructors and other Community Transit employees.
“Community Transit has refused to come to the table several times,” said Patty Ceis, union treasurer. “I would like to see CT Board of Directors held accountable, and I would like to see them show support of labor.”
ATU officials filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against Community Transit for regressive bargaining and bargaining in bad faith but withdrew it approximately two weeks ago, said Kathleen Custer, union president.
The union’s original contract with Community Transit expired Dec. 31, 2003, and negotiations have been going on for more than two years, she said. Community Transit is only allowed to make three-year contracts.
When the contract expired in 2003, the rules from it stayed in place, so bus drivers have not received a raise since then, Custer said.
“It is important that the public know where their tax money is going. These people need to be held accountable, this is inexcusable,” Custer said.
Union officials want to negotiate minor contract issues that do not revolve around wages or benefits. There also is language in the contract about attendance and scheduling that the union would like to see changed.
The two sides met to negotiate on Aug. 30. Community Transit offered a comprehensive proposal, said Tom Pearce, a Community Transit representative. Wage increases were supposed to start in 2004 at 2.25 percent, 2005 at 2.5 percent, 2006-07 at 3 percent.
Due to the prolonged negotiation processes, Community Transit would give their employees retroactive pay, Pearce said. Employees with reliable attendance will receive four paid days of vacation.
By 2006, Community Transit wants to have 100 percent employer-paid medical benefits and in 2007 intends to only negotiate about medical benefits. Community Transit will offer employees short-term disability insurance at the employer’s expense, Pearce said.
If the two groups go to arbitration, it will be from Nov. 1-3, he said.
“This is a fair and reasonable offer and we hope they will considerate,” Pearce said.
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