Union threatens Super Bowl transit strike

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AZcentral

Brenna Goth

Phoenix bus drivers and airport transit workers will strike during the Super Bowl if the companies that provide the services don't settle a dispute with the union over a new contract, a union official said Friday.

The city should be prepared for a strike by employees of Transdev and First Transit, Inc., said Michael Cornelius, lead negotiator for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1433, in an email.

The union represents more than 300 First Transit bus drivers, fuelers and cleaners in Phoenix who staff some of the city's busiest routes. It also represents Transdev drivers of the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport rental car center shuttles and inter-terminal shuttles, along with airport ambassadors.

The city contracts with the companies to provide the services.

FULL story at link.



For the First Transit contract, mediation will resume Jan. 26 — less than a week before the Super Bowl is played in Glendale.
(Photo: Aaron Lavinsky/The Republic)

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2015/01/09/union-threatens-super-bowl-transit-strike/21530487/

[Agschmid]

1. Good negotiating timing.

[davidpdx]

2. True

There won't be much time to waste between then and the Super Bowl. They better get crackin'.

[bpollen]

3. Leverage...

Don't leave home without it.

[brooklynite]

4. As someone who worked on the transit plan for LAST YEAR's Super Bowl...

...and who spent 9 months working on it, I have to ask how the Bus company allowed this to drag out so long, and why the NFL and Host Committee allowed them to.