Santa Clarita Transit secures emergency contract with Transit Systems to provide bus service during ongoing strike
Santa Clarita Transit has successfully secured a temporary emergency contract with Transit Systems to ensure uninterrupted bus service amid an ongoing strike between the union representing drivers and MV Transportation. The strike began on Wednesday and has led to limited bus service being offered starting on Monday.
The emergency contract with Transit Systems was initiated on Tuesday, enabling the provision of limited, fare-free bus service for local routes and school tripper routes. However, due to a shortage of drivers, all services and Dial A Ride operations were temporarily suspended over the weekend, on Saturday and Sunday.
It is important to note that there will be no commuter services available during the strike.
Last week, approximately 200 employees of Santa Clarita Transit gathered outside the city transit yard entrances to picket daily.
Lourdes Garcia, the president of Local 572, stated that the union is advocating for a 9% pay increase in 2022, an 8% increase in 2023, and an additional 8% increase in 2024, as reported by media outlets.
MV Transportation, on the other hand, reportedly offered a starting rate of $19.75 per hour for drivers, with incremental pay raises of 25 cents after one year, 10 cents after two years, 10 cents after three years, 15 cents after four years, and a 75 cent increase after five years.
Since the strike began six days ago, bus services have come to a halt, affecting hundreds of students and passengers across the city.
When the strike first started, Santa Clarita Transit announced the suspension of all commuter and local routes. Additionally, due to a shortage of drivers, all bus services were halted on October 9.
Fortunately, through the emergency contract, three local routes and six school tripper routes are currently operational, ensuring some level of service for students and passengers.
The city of Santa Clarita collaborates with MV Transportation for its bus services. Despite the union’s decision to authorize a strike on September 15, the city of Santa Clarita itself is not involved in the labor dispute, as clarified by MV Transportation in a statement.
Santa Clarita Transit was initially notified by the union on September 28 regarding the decision to halt work, but the strike was delayed for a week.
City officials are urging both the union and MV Transportation to continue negotiating and bargaining in good faith until a mutually acceptable agreement is reached.
In addition to regular bus services, Santa Clarita Transit provides a school tripper service for students attending various schools in the Hart district, including La Mesa Junior High School, Castaic High School, Rancho Pico Junior High School, Saugus High School, and Arroyo Seco Junior High School.
The Hart district has advised those utilizing Santa Clarita Transit services to make alternative transportation arrangements for their school commute. However, it is important to note that the district’s yellow bus service for special needs students will not be affected by the strike.
“No other local, tripper, or commuter routes can be served at this time. However, the city continues efforts to increase service levels,” the Santa Clarita Transit website states. “The city is also coordinating with the Hart district to cover service gaps.”
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
