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PARTA vows to keep every route running. KSU to start same day
By John Higgins
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Saturday, Aug 16, 2008
Portage County public bus drivers plan to go on strike Aug. 25 after the two-year negotiation for their first contract failed in a final bargaining session Thursday.
The Portage Area Regional Transit Authority provides bus service for Kent State University, which starts classes on Aug. 25.
''They run all of our campus routes and I know the students utilize them quite a bit,'' said Scott Rainone, assistant director of university media relations.
Ridership is usually between 3,000 and 5,000 students a day, Rainone said.
PARTA Customer Service Director Frank Hairston read a statement assuring that service would not be interrupted.
''PARTA will continue to provide transportation to the citizens of Portage County, whether or not the drivers decide to strike,'' Hairston said.
The Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local No. 37 gave a 10-day strike notice Friday to the State Employee Relations Board. The local repre
sents between 55 and 65 full- and part-time drivers for PARTA who are recognized by the state board as having voted for union representation, but have yet to negotiate a contract with PARTA, said union field representative Trina Molnar.
''We've really been reluctant to take these folks on strike,'' Molnar said.
Negotiations for a contract began on July 12, 2006. An impasse was declared last August. A federal mediator remains involved in the talks, although no more bargaining sessions are scheduled.
''On Aug. 1, 2008, the union had agreed to accept all of the employer's proposals with the inclusion of one budget-neutral addition to the contract language: fair share,'' according to the union's press release on Friday.
''Fair share'' requires employees who decline to become dues-paying union members to pay fees for the administration of the union-negotiated contract.
Drivers authorized the union to strike in a vote last September. Molnar said they reaffirmed that commitment at a meeting on Sunday.
Meanwhile, PARTA has prepared for a strike.
''PARTA has a contingency plan in place to cover for those OAPSE-represented employees who, if OAPSE calls a strike, choose not to come to work,'' Hairston said. ''People who depend on PARTA for their daily transportation needs like doctor appointments or dialysis can be assured that PARTA will get them where they need to go.''
Hairston did not elaborate on the contingency plan.
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John Higgins can be reached at 330-996-3792 or jhiggins@thebeaconjournal.com.
Portage County public bus drivers plan to go on strike Aug. 25 after the two-year negotiation for their first contract failed in a final bargaining session Thursday.
Get the full article here.
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