Governor orders intervention to prevent strike among Orange County bus drivers – Orange County Register

The Orange County Transportation Authority asked Governor Gavin Newsom to prevent a layoff among the agency’s bus drivers, who say they plan to strike as early as Tuesday, May 15. Two, if an agreement cannot be reached on a new contract.

The letter, signed by OCTA President Mark Murphy, asks the governor to step in and appoint a panel to investigate labor disputes between the agency and the union representing drivers. According to a process set forth in state lawNewsom could choose to form a panel of five if a strike would “substantially disrupt public transit services and jeopardize the health, safety or welfare of the community. ”

The board will need to submit to the governor within seven days a written report describing the hanging in the negotiations. During that week, a strike will be prohibited.

Margie Stites, a spokeswoman for Teamsters 952, which represents bus drivers, noted that Newsom was “not obligated to intervene”.

She said union officials “remain hopeful that we can come to an agreement by Tuesday.”

Although representatives from the union and OCTA are expected to continue negotiations over the next few days, the OCTA letter requires Newsom to take immediate action.

The agency also asked the governor, upon receipt of the board’s report, to “immediately request” the state attorney general to seek a court order to stop a strike for a period of time. Another 60 days is also permitted by law.

“The OCTA hopes that the additional time for the parties to negotiate the issues for a new collective bargaining agreement without a strike will be in the interest of promoting the health, safety and welfare of the community. ,” Murphy wrote in the letter.

The existing collective bargaining agreement, which governs about 600 OCTA bus drivers, expired in April. Issues where teams have stalled include wages and breaks for drivers.

Union members last month voted to allow the strike when they rejected a proposed contract.

Team officials said they understand the hardship a strike would cause for bus riders and drivers. A strike would affect 20 bus lines across Orange County, which carry about 75% of riders. The OCTA, they said, “can prevent a strike by reaching a fair settlement with their coach operators.”

OCTA chief executive Darrell Johnson said in a statement that “requiring the state to intervene is not something we take lightly, but for the health and safety of our passengers, it is vital that we do so. I take all necessary measures to avoid interruption of bus service. ”

Officials with the governor’s office said they could not immediately respond to an inquiry into whether Newsom had begun the process of appointing a panel.