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Federal mediator bringing both sides to table; bus drivers set to strike Monday
By Jim Mackinnon
Beacon Journal business writer
Published on Sunday, Aug 24, 2008
Talks aimed at averting a threatened strike by bus drivers of the Portage Area Regional Transit Authority are scheduled to resume today.
A federal mediator has asked that the Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 37 and the authority meet after noon today, according to W. Frank Hairston, marketing/customer service/EEO director.
A strike could begin Monday, the first day of classes at Kent State University. The union filed a 10-day strike notice on Aug. 15.
The union, which represents 55 to 65 drivers, is trying to get its first labor contract with the bus agency. It said the main point holding up a contract is the union wanting a ''fair share'' provision in the language that would require non-union people to pay dues if they receive union-negotiated benefits and protections.
Negotiations started in July 2006, and an impasse was declared a year ago.
PARTA, based in Kent, provides transportation to about 7,700 people a day, including about 2,000 employees at Kent State.
A separate division that uses Kent State student drivers,
who are not part of the bargaining unit, and which transports about 5,700 university students is not involved in the dispute, according to Hairston.
''They will not see any difference. Buses will be rolling on Monday,'' he said.
PARTA has previously said it has contingency plans if the drivers go on strike.
The authority will use existing staff to run buses on Monday and provide full services if there is a strike, Hairston said. ''We have enough drivers to cover any and all needs for PARTA.''
Hairston declined to describe the staffers as ''replacement drivers.'' He added, ''Now, down the road, there may be replacement drivers.''
If the mediated talks do not make progress, the union leadership is scheduled to meet with bus drivers at 5:30 p.m. today to make plans for pickets, said Trina Molnar, OAPSE field representative. Pickets would begin going up at 4 a.m. Monday, she said.
PARTA drivers are paid between $8 and $14.05 an hour, according to Hairston. The agency has proposed a three-year contract with a 3 percent raise the first year and 2.25 percent raises in the next two years.
Jim Mackinnon can be reached at 330-996-3544 or jmackinnon@thebeaconjournal.com.
Talks aimed at averting a threatened strike by bus drivers of the Portage Area Regional Transit Authority are scheduled to resume today.
Get the full article here.
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