By
The Associated Press
PHOENIX - Thousands of Maricopa County public transit commuters could be out of a ride today.
City bus drivers began striking yesterday, picketing at Central Station in Phoenix and at stations in Chandler and Mesa after the Amalgamated Transit Union Local rejected management's latest contract. The walkout effectively shuts down 45 bus routes.
About 110,000 people depend on the mass transit system during the workweek. Eight out of 10 bus commuters say they have no other way of getting to work.
Twenty-six of the affected routes are in Phoenix and 19 routes run in Scottsdale and other east metro areas.
The union was satisfied with management's offer of a 25 percent pay hike over five years, said Fran Mullenix, union president.
But the drivers said talks broke down over health insurance and pension plans along with problems with work shifts. Management's proposal was turned down by more than a 4-to-1 margin.
"They said they would pay for medical insurance, they would give us a 401(k) and a pension plan," bus driver Bennett Mills said. "They turned around and lied to us. I feel completely betrayed."
Management said they hope the strike can be resolved as soon as possible. As of yesterday afternoon, no negotiation meetings were scheduled, said Abbie Fink, a spokeswoman for Phoenix Transit.
More than 30 million people ride Phoenix's buses annually.
Two other transit unions, which include fuelers, cleaning personnel and engineers, reached agreement on contracts Sept. 30. But with the drivers on strike, those members from the Teamsters and Operating Engineers may join the picket lines in solidarity.
Two weeks ago, a strike appeared to be averted as bus operating engineers and union representatives reached agreement on separate five-year contracts.
But the bus driver union agreed only to a two-week extension of their current contract at that time, and they said no changes were made during that time.
