RTC contractor reacts to vote to authorize strike by bus drivers and mechanics
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - The private contractor that oversees route operations for the RTC says it hasn’t heard anything about a strike from the union representing hundreds of drivers and mechanics.
An overwhelming majority of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1637 members voted to reject Transdev’s current contract offer. Of the 620 ATU members who cast ballots, 597 voted to reject the current offer. Only six voted to accept the deal.
Union for RTC bus drivers to vote on new contract offer, strike possible if offer rejected
But Transdev says union leadership hasn’t yet informed it of their intentions. And, in a statement released Friday morning, a company spokesperson says a strike would break the law.
The statement reads:
“Transdev has not received a formal strike notification from the ATU Local 1637. Both organizations are under a Transition Agreement that requires a 30-day written notice from the union to legally strike. As of today, Transdev remains at the table bargaining in good faith with our partners at ATU.
Both parties are operating under a valid agreement, so any violation of this agreement would be an unlawful act. It is Transdev’s expectation that the ATU will honor the agreement and deliver uninterrupted service to the public. We remain committed to providing safe and reliable service to our community.”
Dennis Hennessy, a veteran RTC driver, tells FOX5, that if a strike does happen, it will start right before the hundreds of thousands of tourists descend upon Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII. Hennessy doesn’t believe Transdev could find enough replacement drivers to cover the hundreds of shifts left open.
Hennessy says union members want higher pay, better benefits, and more protection while they work. He told us he’d been attacked several times while driving his route.
The vote authorizing a strike doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a strike, negotiations with Transdev are ongoing with more meetings held on Friday morning, just hours after all the ballots had been tallied. Union leadership says neither side wants to see a walkout.
Stay with FOX5 for continuing coverage of this developing story.
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