ATU 1091 has announced to the local news media that it plans to call a transit strike on Wednesday, November 5.
This is disappointing, considering StarTran had responded to the Union’s desire to continue negotiations, suggesting the date of Friday, November 7, for a full day of negotiations with a federal mediator.
Should the union strike, Capital Metro customers can expect a disruption of service, although it will operate a network of core routes and all of the UT Shuttle routes. Current information about routes available, including schedules, is available on the Capital Metro Web site.
StarTran is extremely disappointed that Union leadership is spreading fear in the community about a possible strike on Election Day. Watch KEYE’s coverage below and listen to an excerpt of KVET’s interview with StarTran GM Terry Garcia Crews.
Today StarTran learned that ATU Local 1091 rejected StarTran’s final offer. StarTran remains committed to the negotiation process and is willing to continue dialogue with the union. The union has expressed a desire to continue to negotiate as well. StarTran is hopeful that a strike can still be avoided.
StarTran has committed to keeping its employees informed of every step of the labor negotiations process. StarTran and ATU 1091 met for a full day of negotiations on October 15. This afternoon, StarTran management delivered to each employee an update and fact sheet about the negotiations.
Today StarTran issued the following news release:
StarTran Begins Open Enrollment for Health Benefits
New Health Insurance Plan Takes Effect January 1
October 17, 2008
StarTran, a nonprofit contactor that employs most of Capital Metro’s bus and paratransit operators and mechanics, will begin the open enrollment process for health insurance next week in order to implement the new health benefits on January 1, 2009.
“We are moving forward with the new health benefits plan to protect our employees,” said StarTran General Manager Terry Garcia Crews. “Delaying this process would not allow sufficient time to complete open enrollment; we don’t want our employees and their families to be without this new coverage on January 1. StarTran cannot afford to extend the existing health plan for another year.” (more…)
Today, StarTran employees received an update from General Manager Terry Garcia-Crews regarding the labor negotiations. Terry stated:
Since we have been receiving questions about the status of contract negotiations, I felt it was necessary to update all of you.
At the last meeting on September 11, the Union stated they had additional questions and would be providing them to us in writing. After fourteen (14) days, we received the questions. In total, the letter was comprised of twenty-three (23) questions with several additional inquiries buried within the questions, requiring a significant amount of information dating back four years.
Nevertheless, we delivered the information on time according to the requested due date from the Union. I say this to demonstrate to you our desire to settle this contract. (more…)
In September, many claims were made by ATU 1091 to the local news media, claims that are simply not true. As part of our commitment to keep you informed with accurate, factual information, here’s the 411 on some specific false claims made by ATU 1091 President Jay Wyatt.
CLAIM: 9/13/08, Austin American Statesman- “Capital Metro definitely wants a strike. And we’re trying not to oblige them,” said (union president) Jay Wyatt…”
FACT: It is the goal of Capital Metro and its contractors, including StarTran, to provide quality transportation choices to our community 365 days a year. It is ridiculous to even suggest that management would want employees to strike. The union, under the direction of the union president, makes the decision on whether to strike.
