The Milwaukee County Transit System and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998 today resumed talks on a new contract for the system’s bus drivers.
The two sides have been at odds for about a month on the matter. When talks stalled on June 30, MCTS drivers represented by ATU Local 998 stopped work for three days during one of the busiest weeks of the year for the bus system. The drivers resumed operation on July 4 without a contract resolution.
Today, the two sides hope to come to an agreement. According to MCTS spokesman Brendan Conway, the union is asking for $9 million more “than what MCTS can afford.”
The union has said MCTS is twisting the numbers, and the pay raises it refers to are already in the workers’ contracts. It has also expressed dissatisfaction with MCTS bringing in retired drivers as part-time operators to reduce overtime.
“MCTS has put $6.3 million in increased wages and benefits on the table in the next two budget years,” Conway said. “MCTS has agreed to cap the number of part-time drivers and is seeking pension changes that will make the transit pension plan stronger, and health care changes that help to control costs and keep monthly premiums affordable.“
MCTS said its total annual compensation and benefits cost per driver is between $81,878 and $94,060. If it concedes on the additional $9 million, MCTS says it would have to cut seven routes and 54 driver and mechanic positions.
