Fairfax Connector workers on strike

Fairfax Connector workers are on strike over unfair labor practices, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 announced Feb. 22.

That means riders will need to find alternative transportation.

ATU Local 689 represents approximately 638 Fairfax Connector bus operators and mechanics. Members have been working under an expired contract since December 2023. 

Local 689 and Transdev, the company that operates the bus system for Fairfax County, have been in contract negotiations since October.

“Despite 12 bargaining sessions, a vast divide between the union and the company remains due to Transdev’s slow-walking the talks and, for the most part, its refusal to engage in meaningful discussions on key economic issues,” Local 689 states.

The union says it has “taken extraordinary strides to avert a strike, including consistently providing contract proposals that are fair to both sides and the public, involving a federal mediator directly in negotiations, and meeting with Fairfax County officials. However, because of Transdev’s unfair labor practices and regressive bargaining, as well as Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay’s refusal to weigh in, a strike was unavoidable.”

Local 689’s priorities include retirement security, more sick days, and competitive wages for bus operators and mechanics with regional transit companies.

Transdev’s latest contract proposal submitted in late January ignored most of the union’s key priorities but included what appeared to be competitive wage increases for bus operators. However, Local 689 says “Transdev deliberately failed to acknowledge that due to the high cost of living in Fairfax County and tax burden in the region, the wage increases alone are insufficient to ensure an improved quality of life for its employees.”

“The county is not a party to these negotiations and it would be inappropriate for me to interfere,” McKay said in a statement on the strike. “I have been in communication with the county executive and his team throughout this process and was aware of the impasse. I was not, however, aware that a strike would occur which has left the almost 26,000 daily users of the Connector without the service they rely on.”

McKay says he fully supports the ability of Connector drivers and mechanics to be treated, and compensated, fairly. He also supports the ATU Local 689’s right to advocate on behalf of their members.

“My hope is that the union and Transdev can reach agreement on a contract that is in line with similar transit services in our neighboring jurisdictions and that respects the exemplary work of drivers and mechanics,” he said. “The cost is ultimately borne by our residents and must also be considered in these negotiations.”