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Union officers say Loudoun County Transit employees are the lowest-paid transit staff within the Washington area. Keolis officers countered that the corporate lately boosted pay, whereas its newest contract supplied more cash and advantages.
The bus system serves residents within the wealthiest county within the nation, working Monday by means of Saturday. The system additionally operates commuter buses between the county and Rosslyn, Crystal Metropolis, the Pentagon and the District. A 21-route Silver Line Bus service connects riders to Metro, which opened three Metro stations in Loudoun County in November.
On Friday, the system operated a lowered schedule and didn't run Silver Line buses or commuter buses. The county’s transportation division mentioned Silver Line connection and commuter bus service additionally received’t function on Monday, which is the Martin Luther King Jr. Day vacation.
Service on Metro’s Silver Line rail system isn’t affected.
Along with searching for extra pay and advantages, union officers mentioned the strike can also be the results of employees’ retirement and well being packages being slashed in April 2021, shortly after the county gave Keolis, a Boston-based transit operator, a five-year contract.
“The county just isn't commenting on the labor motion as a result of it is a matter that should be resolved between Keolis and its members,” Loudoun County spokesman Glen Barbour mentioned.
On Thursday, Keolis introduced labor negotiators with the Amalgamated Transit Union Native 689, the union representing the employees, with what the corporate mentioned was its greatest and last provide. Union negotiators rejected the provide, and when union leaders tried to arrange future conferences, they mentioned, Keolis refused to offer any dates.
“Keolis’ contract provide was insulting and shameful,” ATU Native 689 president Raymond Jackson mentioned in an announcement. “This firm continues to deal with our members with disrespect and disdain and continues to discount in dangerous religion.”
Keolis officers disputed Jackson’s account. The corporate mentioned quite a lot of agreements have been reached on a brand new contract, whereas the corporate mentioned employees got raises in June that ranged from between 10 % and 30 %. The Keolis provide included bonuses of $2,000, a ten % retroactive wage enhance for all staff, a 5 % firm 401(ok) match — up from 2 % — and an extra work vacation.
“Keolis is dedicated to offering secure and dependable service for our passengers who depend on transit,” firm spokesman Justin Thompson mentioned in an announcement. “We sit up for finalizing a contract that helps the well-being of our staff and their households with complete advantages and aggressive wages.”
About 150 employees have been picketing in shifts outdoors the Loudoun County Transit complicated every day between 3 a.m. and 4 p.m. Union officers mentioned Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Giant), the chair of the county’s Board of Supervisors, and supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) joined picketers to pledge assist on Friday.
On day three of their strike, our @ATULocal689 Loudoun County Transit members received a lift as Phyllis Randall, the Chair At-Giant of the Loudoun County Supervisors, and Juli Briskman, Loudoun County Board Supervisor County, joined the picket line to point out their assist. pic.twitter.com/S8m5FphXdl
— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) January 13, 2023
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