MCTS drops Part-Time Driver Requirement from Contract

MCTS has announced the part-time driver requirement has been dropped from the Bus Driver’s Union contract, according to a letter MCTS Managing Director Dan Boehm to James Macon.

“Since ATU’s vote yesterday, I am concerned that there is now even less assurances we can give transit riders about their ability to get to school and work,” said MCTS Managing Director Dan Boehm in the letter.

MCTS said in the statement it believed the most important issue for the union was the number of part-time drivers proposed in the contract.

MCTS said it was removing the part-time provision from the contract in the interest of resolving the issue quickly for the benefit of the transit riders.

“No one is well served by continuing to operate without a contract and under the threat of a strike,” said MCTS Managing Director Dan Boehm to James Macon.

RELATED LINK: Contract dispute continues between transit union and MCTS

RELATED LINK: Transit union members voted on contract Monday

MCTS said in a release on October 4 the offer before the vote on Monday was: 

"Increase Wages: 

• A pay increase on ratification (0.5%) and on April 1, 2016 (1%)  
• For operators with four years or more of experience that translates into an estimated hourly salary of $24.55 by January 1, 2017 (including an estimate of COLA).
•  COLA without a cap thru 3/31/17, the end of the contract.
• Senior mechanics will also receive an additional $.25 an hour raise on April 1, 2016.

Hold Healthcare Costs Nearly Flat  

• Offer does not increase co-pays at all during the term of the contract.
• In 2017 deductibles would increase from $500 to $750 per covered person to a max of $2,250 for a family, which is still well below average.
• A slight increase in monthly premiums each year.  
• No co-insurance.

Allow a Maximum of 45 Part-time Drivers

• Create a limited number of part-time positions for individuals that aren’t interested in, or are unable to, work full-time as bus operators.
• Part-time drivers do not receive a pension or pay into a pension; there’s No pension impact.
• Part-time drivers will not work more than full-time operators, who are guaranteed 30 to 40 hours a week.
• No full-time driver will be laid off and replaced with a part-time driver.
• MCTS is continuing to aggressively recruit and hire full-time drivers. On top of that, the contract offer has: 
• No changes to pension benefits or pension payouts
•  No changes to retirement eligibility
•  MCTS agrees to the union’s request for additional discussion on drivers safety and bathroom breaks"