The union representing striking bus maintenance workers has accepted an invitation by the Orange County Transportation Authority to resume negotiations in hopes of ending the strike that has shut down bus service across Orange County since Friday.
Negotiators from both sides will meet on Saturday, Nov. 5, Sunday, Nov. 6, and Monday, Nov. 7
It’s unclear if the strike would be suspended during once negotiations resume.
Approximately 150 mechanics, machinists and technicians belonging to Teamsters Local 952 went on strike Thursday afternoon after their union representatives rejected an OCTA offer that would raise the top pay for mechanics to nearly $90,000 annually, plus improving their benefits package. Members’ wages would increase 14.25% over the next three years, beginning immediately.
READ: Maintenance Worker Strike Halts Bus Service In Orange County
Teamsters Allegedly Engage In Physical Harassment At Pickets
The first day of the strike got off to a turbulent start. Teamsters picketed four OCTA bus facilities, and picketers behavior escalated and turned confrontational, according to the OCTA – so much so that the agency sent a letter to the Teamsters threatening legal action of their members cease alleged physical intimidation tactics.
“There have been three reported incidents which necessitated the involvement of law enforcement, where OCTA employees and guests have been threatened, harassed, and where property has been damaged while entering OCTA properties,” wrote OCTA lead negotiator Maggie McJilton in a letter to Frank Sevilla, the Teamsters’ negotiator.
“This unlawful behavior is placing the safety of OCTA employees, contractors, and guests at risk. Please immediately direct all participants in the picketing to refrain from any acts of harassment, making threats, or causing damage to persons or property. Failure to stop this unlawful behavior will result in further involvement of law enforcement and any other necessary legal action,” warned McJilton.
By mid-day on the first day of the strike, OCTA CEO Darrell Johnson sent a communication to the OCTA Board of Directors spotlighting several incidents that had already occurred:
• An OC Streetcar construction contractor had his vehicle obstructed, and then struck and damaged while accessing the storage yard at OCTA’s Garden Grove Base.
• A field supervisor attempting to enter the Garden Grove Base was blocked by picketers, and when she drove slowly forward, a Teamster pushed into her vehicle and then alleged being struck. The OCTA says video of the incident disproves the claim and a police report has been filed.
• Teamsters stopped the car of an OCTA employee attempting to leave the Santa Ana Base, kicking and pounding on the car and forcibly opening the rear doors, causing the employee to call the police for assistance.
• In addition to generally obstructing employees attempting to access both the Santa Ana and Garden Grove bases, Teamster picketers have been photographing those employees and posting them to social media with threats of “getting them.”
• A large informational sign showing OCTA’s offer and potential healthcare benefits was ripped down at the Garden Grove Base last night.
Meanwhile Democratic politicians such as state Senator Dave Min, and Assemblywomen Cottie Petrie-Norris and Sharon Quirk-Silva joined the Teamster picketers.
Santa Ana Councilwoman Jessie Lopez also joined the Teamster picketers:
OCTA V. Teamster Health Insurance Coverage At Crux of Negotiations
According to sources, the crux of the dispute is whether to include maintenances workers in OCTA health insurance coverage, or keep them enrolled in the Teamsters Labor Alliance Trust health insurance fund.
The Teamsters health insurance is what is commonly known as a Taft-Hartley health plan, a reference to the landmark 1947 federal labor from which they stem. They’re expensive and unions which have them feel financial pressure to keep their members enrolled in them. They’re also become problematic due to Obamacare.
The OCTA has proposed enrolling maintenance workers in its insurance coverage instead, noting it would be less expensive for the employees:
OCTA maintenance workers pay monthly premiums of $350 regardless of whether they a single or getting coverage for their family. Furthermore, new hires must wait three months before the coverage begins – although they still pay their premiums for those three months.
If enrolled in the OCTA’s plan, maintenance workers would pay tiered premiums depending on whether it was single coverage, two people, or a family. The lowest premium tier is $38.05 for one person up to $220.52 for a family.
That would be an annual savings of $1,553.82 for a family.
Teamsters lead negotiator Frank Sevilla is also a trustee of the union’s Labor Alliance Managed Trust Fund, which runs the health insurance program in which the union would like the maintenance workers to remain enrolled.
