Sun Tran says they were able to add a ninth route to the limited weekday service they’re providing because of the bus drivers’ and mechanics’ strike that’s been going on for 20 days now.
Route 9 (Grant Road and Campbell Avenue, as well as downtown) will start running today, thanks to a combination of transit assistance coming down from Phoenix, as well as other Sun Tran employees who are returning to work—unrelated to the strike—according to Kandi Young, Sun Tran’s marketing and communications director.
The current schedule for routes is Monday to Friday from about 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Here’s a list of the routes:
Route 3 – 6th St./Wilmot
Route 4 – Speedway
Route 8 – Broadway
Route 9 – E. Grant
Route 11 – Alvernon
Route 16 – Oracle/Ina
Route 18 – South 6th Avenue
Route 25 – South Park Avenue
Route 29 – Valencia
“Sun Tran remains committed to providing service during this work stoppage, as we understand how
additional service is a benefit to the community,” said Kate Riley, Sun Tran General Manager, in a statement to the media. “We also ask all employers with bus riding employees to please be patient during this time. We are working on adding more service as additional resources become available.”
Here’s a recap of the strike:
Wages
Members of the Teamsters Local Union 104 have been on strike for 15 days now. It began at midnight on Aug. 6, when the union and Sun Tran reps didn’t agree on each other’s proposals for a new contract.Sun Tran’s offer included a raise of 50 cents (from $13.30 to $13.80) for drivers starting out, an 11th paid holiday, and continued company-supported pension and health coverage. It didn’t include pay raises for current workers, at least for the next three or so years.
The union wanted at least a 75-cent raise for workers in their first year, a $1 raise for their second and third year, and for Sun Tran to unfreeze wage progression for all other employees.During 2013 negotiations, the Teamsters were told by Sun Tran management that there weren’t enough funds to support raises, so the union launched an independent audit, which last year revealed that Sun Tran returned a total of $2.2 million to the city in 2013 and 2014, money that was specifically meant to go toward wage increases and benefits, according to Andrew Marshall, the Teamsters Local Union 104’s secretary and treasurer.Sun Tran says, on average, drivers make $16.72 an hour, with more than half making $19.22. About the $2.2 million, the company claims it was Regional Transportation Authority money for service expansion, and because of that, it couldn’t be used for anything else, such as raises.
“The Teamsters’ proposal is unsustainable. Even with the poor economic situation over the last seven years and at a time when wages and benefits have been cut for many in our community, Sun Tran has been able to maintain a competitive compensation package,” said Kate Riley, Sun Tran’s general manager, in a statement to the media. “For example, a total compensation package for an entry level coach operator when you evaluate annual earnings, pension and medical, dental and vision benefits is worth over $46,000.”
In total, the Teamsters’ demands would increase the city of Tucson’s general fund contribution to the transit company by $20.3 million over the next three years, according to Sun Tran. But Marshall says the figures Sun Tran used are outdated. “That simply was the proposal on the table when (Sun Tran) cut off negotiations. The final offer we gave to the mediator is $5.7 to $7.7 million, depending on how (they) calculate the frozen wages progression,” he says.
Mold
Sun Tran has known about the mold issue at least since 2010, when the company first built the northwest maintenance facility, according to Marshall. In 2012 and 2013, a testing company verified there was mold there, but Marshall says Sun Tran didn’t do anything to fix it. What’s worse to Marshall is the fact Sun Tran is telling employees to deal with the mold, rather than hiring professionals to clean up the mess, he says.
“They are acting like it is not a big deal, and it is absolutely crazy,” he says. “Respiratory diseases from this mold can be fatal. I don’t know what they are trying to accomplish here.”Young says Sun Tran found out about the mold in July, and that they’ve dealt with it the same way they have in the past. It’s particularly challenging during the monsoon, but they have ran three quality tests at the facility, and “the air quality is higher than the air outside,” she says.
For now, there are pending unfair labor practice charges against Professional Transit Management—the company hired by the city to oversee Sun Tran—which means those involved in the strike cannot be fired or replaced. None of the drivers and mechanics are getting paid for the time they’re picketing though, and Marshall says this is saving Sun Tran at least $750,000 every week the strike’s still on.
Last Thursday, the union brought a federal mediator on board to help with negotiations. By press time on Tuesday, no meetings had happened. Merely eight of 43 routes are in transit, leaving the roughly more than 60,000 passengers scrambling to find other transportation options.
Safety Concerns
All-in-all, there have been 22 assaults on bus drivers in the past 13 months, according to the Teamsters Local Union 104, which is leading the strike. That includes beer-throwing, spitting and more violent incidents. Young says the company has worked side-by-side with the union to establish a safety committee, and have implemented the use of off-duty police officers on buses and at bus stations.
In Recent Days…
On Friday, the federal mediator contacted Teamsters Local 104 Principal Officer Andrew Marshall, and told him Sun Tran management hadn’t provided any proposal to present to the Teamsters negotiating committee, and confirmed that Sun Tran’s firm and final offer of July 31, which is what led to the strike, remained in place, a press release from the Teamsters says.
Members of the Tucson Bus Riders Union met on Monday with Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and City Manager Michael Ortega to discuss possible city involvement to help with a resolution. Law says the mayor and City Council cannot intervene in these negotiations, because Sun Tran employees are not city of Tucson employees. “The Federal Transit Administration requires that, to receive federal funding for transit, transit employees must have strike rights,” a media release from the mayor’s office said last week.
The mayor has called on both sides to talk it out and end the strike.
This article appears in Aug 20-26, 2015.
Are some of Suntran employees afraid to clean up their work place at times. Its not that hard beauty salons do it. Suntran should hire professionals to clean it up and use the money that teamster and the union to pay for it. Health issue solved. If your concerned about safety lower the pay increase and use the difference to pay for self defense classes, customer service skills,or additional security. DOESNT MARSHALL MENTION NUMEROUS TIMES THAT SAFETY IS MAIN CONCERN… SUNTRAN THINK NEW EMPLOYEES, TEAMSTER EITHER GET BACK TO WORK OR FIND A NEW JOB, AND UNION MEMBERS ITS NOT JUST ABOUT THE PAY ITS A SERVICE TO PUBLIC
Persis G Martinez you have the stupidest comment I have ever seen. If Suntran doesn’t want to give drivers a pay raise why do you think they would spend MORE money to hire a clean up team. We would like to know what is your job genius?
What’s with all the temporary routes being in the same part of town… my wife and I live on the east side of town… best we can do is the 8 or the 4 which only takes us farther out of the way to catch and to our destination.
Teamsters you are all being foolish to think you can ask so much in this crap economy.
If you haven’t noticed inflation. Putting the blame on the Teamsters or drivers is ludicrous. It was clearly explained that the management company is at fault and the city. Since you can’t read jordan:
Transdev, previously Veolia; the 60% French Government owned, for profit management company, is contracted by the City of Tucson to manage Sun Tran. Transdev took over Tom Hock’s company; Professional Transit Management. The city of Tucson can terminate this contract with Transdev at anytime. Its even more stupid that the city spend millions on a rail that goes less than a few miles only benefiting the college kids and not on a bus system that a larger demographic of tucson uses.
Finger pointing is wasting time. The customers are being poorly served. I hope their memories work.
Let’s get down to brass tacks here: If the drivers and Teamsters Union cared anything about the working poor in this town they would not strike. Period. This is a no brainer. If I care about you as a human being I would not be able to put you and your children out in the street, especially in the current economic situation. When a group of people says one thing but does another, I believe their actions rather that their words. Pretty simple.
These fools are performing a public service, if they can’t handle the heat, they need to get the f*** out of the kitchen. All these (horrible) drivers are doing is making it worse on themselves and the community,people are going to be pissed. From lost jobs, to going without medicine, or care for children, they’re going to have a ton of angry patrons from here on out. I’ve been assaulted by a bus driver before, suntran did nothing, he even seen me again and lied to force me off of the bus. This is the worst bus service in the whole of the world. I’ve met trash workers who were nicer. Nearly every driver is obese and stuck up, riding around in an Ac & sparco seat with a frown on your face and 16-20 dollars am hour must be so tough. Karma is going to put in some work for these demons.
In response to jody 2 tone. So you’re going to be pissed? When this strike is over and these workers are back doing their terrible jobs driving the worst bus service in the world, are you going to do all of them a favor and ride a skate board?
People working at the hospital as housekeepers only make $9/hr with hardly any raises(umc hospital) have to clean shit and even nurses or patient care techs make less than $15/hr and have to deal with even less pleasing people than bus drivers who are on their asses all day. Granted public transportation is an important service but what they’re demanding is childish and will have even worse repercussions
Some people would be thankful for a job at min wages. Hell, lets hire them at Sun Tran…..and fire all the wieners , and elect Donald Trump for President.
I suggest firing the drivers outright and hiring all new staff for 10.00 an hour.
How about eliminate the 50 cent “Loser Fare” and make everyone under 65 pay the whole fair? These idiots have cigarettes, drugs and eat out constantly. Stop enabling them to get yet one more freebie in life. Even hardcore losers like the 90% riding Sun Tran paying the “Loser Fare” can swing $1.50….so make them! Let’s be honest, when on the bus AT LEAST 70% of riders get the “Please show you id” prompt. Make these system-working dipshits pay full price and then there will be plenty of revenue for raises, cleaning mold and safety precautions.
I get it. I get that inflation is taking a lot out of the drivers’ bottom line. I get that there are safety issues that need to be addressed. I get that the strike was decided upon by people upstream of the actual drivers. But enough is ENOUGH. As has been said in many posts before this one, people are losing their jobs. Kids are missing school. People can’t access health care. Tucson is SUFFERING. It’s time for some federal attention to be paid, here. The Teamsters are now holding this whole city hostage. Everyone is suffering and no end is in sight. This strike has to END. There has to be another way.
This is crazy that its already that long of a strike wow going to add one more bus come on now we people need more then that yes we understand you need saftey not everyone has saftey on where they are working i ride the bus everyday to get somewhere since i graduated high school and ive been in this situation with the bus last time and didnt last long like this one and this time i cant get anywhere besides going somewhere really quickly and i have to make sure i am on the time cause they stop at 6 crazy makes no sence on bringing one bus at a time it just needs to end and start running the busses school is already hear for alot of people.
MattH has it partly correct. How about up from 50 cents to $1.00? That would be doable for most people I think. And would pay for a lot of what the Teamsters are asking for.
Too bad all the rich white people have fled the city limits. Good luck collecting more taxes or fares from the Grijalva illegals.
5th poorest city in America, and damn proud of it.
Corrina, that is one heck of a run-on sentence you posted. Believe me when I let you know that it was not I who clicked on the dislike icon, although I do understand why you received it.
I say do what other business In Tucson are doing, Hire without Union because they are all about money, not the employee’s. If employee have a problem with their job call better business bureau.
Whoever posted that most bus drivers are overweight and lazy is dead wrong. The things I see them do and put up with as a rider is nowhere near your description of them.
whoever said they were frowning all the time is just getting that reaction because of their hateful, better than thou attitude as they step onto the bus. And to whoever said that using a reduced fair makes me a loser… working poor use the money saved to pay for utilities, school supplies etc. not drugs etc. why don’t you pay that extra dollar every time that I get on the bus if this added expense is so easy to manage, or better yet pay the water bill or explain to my daughter’s teachers why she doesn’t have a binder or notebook. This argument should be focused on a mayor who needs to step up, if he has staff running the street car, why can’t he get staff to drive busses on the weekend when a lot of service workers really need them?
Hey Merri Tucker, instead of expecting someone else’s money to solve your problems, stop being a member of the working poor. Get better skills, better attitude, better job, maybe dare I say it, a partner that works and contributes. My wagon’s full, no room for you and your family.
Get a grip !!!!! People are NOT getting their meds…not getting to doctor appts…not able to get food……geez, Louise….clean up the mold….put a uniformed armed officer on each bus…..not that hard…you are holding our town hostage…..not to even mention the students……get off yoour high horse…..I wanna cuss you out…but…I am a lady….
All i can say is, please go back to work. We are unable to live becuase of this strike. Tucson needs help, please help us keep our jobs. Our lives in your hands
This really sucks! I check online when i can since i don’t have cable; To see if there’s any good news so i can be able to get to work with out paying for a taxi. i really hope the strike ends soon! Some of my friends lost their jobs due to no being able to show to work.
Folks ; Im just curious what times do route 4 and 8 run? I hear all these diff tumes from diff people..frustrating I cant atand out at a bus stop without shelter over me in this heat.( even a close estimate would be helpful. Thank you folks
Actually, I am hoping they stay on strike. My reasons you might ask? 1. I caught the #17 bus headed S from Grant Rd to Speedway Blvd one evening after getting out of class. The bus driver had shit himself, and when I gagged from the smell, he had the audacity to bitch did I want to ride. Seriously like he was going to throw me off right there. I can tell you I did not answer not wanting to breathe, slid my dollar in and went to the back of the bus; where by the way every other passenger was packed tighter than a can of sardines and sat down. That was the longest mile in my life. 2. The stops in this town are not coordinated and it is bad enough that on an application or at an interview if you put down or say you rely on the bus as transportation; you will not get the job. 3. I am hoping that a company steps up to the plate and offers ride share to businesses that the employees have to rely on broken down equipment, rude drivers, and a mass of homeless or just beggars at every stop, just to get to work. 4. When you must plan on leaving 2 hours in advance to get anywhere on time in this city riding Sun Tran, well I think that speaks for itself.
Union 104 strikers and City of Tucson/Sun Tran: Clearly if your negotiator is an idiot who has no communication skill, then this negotiator has to be fired. There are people in this world who cannot handle this type of job. What’s their names? Who are they? By the way, Tucson City Mayor should be be involved daily, until they settle a contract. And SunTran strikers: Be nicer to the pedestrians; you don’t have to verbalized cuss words or threaten bus riders for crossing the streets where you happen to hanging out. And please wash off the smear-pictures off of the buses (ie, the naked lady, etc.). You could make it all safer for us by moving over to the parking lot nearby the railroad tracks. You all have no business taking public service from the bus riders. You all probably need a permanent vacation. We need people driving our buses who are willing to work.
I love Arizona’s anti union bandwagon ~playing right into the hands of corporate greed and blaming the workers instead of the selfish french bastards who are holding up progress. Do you think the rich fucks holding all the money care that the working poor in Tucson America can’t get around? If anything they are laughing at how powerless we are. Stop blaming the drivers and the working poor for this craziness and take a bigger look at the situation. I too need the strike to end, but stand in solidarity with the Teamsters ~one of the few unbroken unions left in this backwards state.
fire anyone that wont go back to work and hire new drivers for the first agreement that the stupid union turned down.
Hating the rich solves nothing. Except it puts you on a no gun purchase list because of your inbred hatred of others with no basis in truth. Did a Prof at UA teach you that?