Fairfax Connector on limited schedule due to strike
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| Fairfax Connector workers are on strike. [ATU] |
Fairfax Connector bus service will operate on a limited schedule on Thursday, Dec. 5, due to a job action by drivers and
mechanics.
mechanics.
Many routes are operating on a Sunday schedule, including the 401/402 route that serves Annandale.
Connector routes that do not operate on Sundays, including those serving Mason District, will not operate on Dec. 5. [More routes were subsequently cancelled. See the Fairfax Connector website for updates.]
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1764 members
employed by Fairfax Connector contractor Transdev voted to strike “in protest of the company’s unfair labor practices and bad faith bargaining,” the union states. Union members are seeking pay raises and better benefits.
employed by Fairfax Connector contractor Transdev voted to strike “in protest of the company’s unfair labor practices and bad faith bargaining,” the union states. Union members are seeking pay raises and better benefits.
The strike is expected to
affect about 30,000 bus riders and bus-rail commuters throughout the DMV.
affect about 30,000 bus riders and bus-rail commuters throughout the DMV.
The impact of the Fairfax
Connector strike is separate from but related to the strike by ATU Local 689 by
Transdev workers at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Cinder
Bed Road Bus Garage. That strike is entering the 43rd day.
Connector strike is separate from but related to the strike by ATU Local 689 by
Transdev workers at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Cinder
Bed Road Bus Garage. That strike is entering the 43rd day.
“We held off as long as we
could,” said ATU International President John Costa, of the Fairfax Connector
action. But during negotiations, Transdev made clear “that they would rather
see service disrupted than their unfair labor practices ended.” The union’s
collective bargaining agreement with Transdev expired on Nov. 30.
could,” said ATU International President John Costa, of the Fairfax Connector
action. But during negotiations, Transdev made clear “that they would rather
see service disrupted than their unfair labor practices ended.” The union’s
collective bargaining agreement with Transdev expired on Nov. 30.
“While we remain committed
to negotiating with Transdev to reach a fair and just contract, workers cannot
be asked to tolerate an escalating campaign of union-busting in the meantime,”
Costa said. The National Labor Relations Board is investigating 36 separate
allegations that Transdev violated federal labor law in the workplace and in
negotiations with Local 1764.
to negotiating with Transdev to reach a fair and just contract, workers cannot
be asked to tolerate an escalating campaign of union-busting in the meantime,”
Costa said. The National Labor Relations Board is investigating 36 separate
allegations that Transdev violated federal labor law in the workplace and in
negotiations with Local 1764.
The union also noted that in the hours before negotiations, Transdev, a French-based
multinational company, circulated leaflets encouraging ATU members to abandon
the union, cross picket lines, and even turned some drivers away as they
reported for regular shifts in an effort to discourage their participation in a
potential strike.
multinational company, circulated leaflets encouraging ATU members to abandon
the union, cross picket lines, and even turned some drivers away as they
reported for regular shifts in an effort to discourage their participation in a
potential strike.
“We apologize for the short-term inconvenience to our riders, but if we don’t
stand up to Transdev now, the long-term effects will be worse for everyone in
the DMV,” Costa said.
“These strikes at Fairfax
Connector and Cinder Bed Road are about the future of public transportation in
our region,” he continued. “Do we want private multinational companies who break the law and
put profit first while exploiting riders and workers and cutting corners on
safety and service? We believe the resounding answer from workers and riders
alike will be ‘hell no.’”
Connector and Cinder Bed Road are about the future of public transportation in
our region,” he continued. “Do we want private multinational companies who break the law and
put profit first while exploiting riders and workers and cutting corners on
safety and service? We believe the resounding answer from workers and riders
alike will be ‘hell no.’”
Fairfax County’s five-year,
$443 million contract with Transdev, calling for the company to handle operations and maintenance for the Fairfax Connector system, took effect in July.
$443 million contract with Transdev, calling for the company to handle operations and maintenance for the Fairfax Connector system, took effect in July.