Bus workers break
off negotiations
Hawaii Teamsters Local 996 said today its negotiating committee members have voted to break off contract talks with Oahu Transit Services Inc., "The Bus."
Negotiations began May 6 to renew the three-year contract, which expires June 30, said Oahu Transit spokeswoman Marilyn Dicus.
She said the union, which represents about 1,300 drivers and other employees of The Bus, informed the transit company it was breaking off talks. She said she could not discuss the issues involved.
Officials of Hawaii Teamsters and Allied Workers, Local 996, could not be reached immediately for comment. They had scheduled a press conference for noon today.
During the last contract negotiation in 2000, the union and management narrowly averted a bus strike when a tentative agreement was reached giving drivers a 50-cent an hour increase over three years and increased pension contributions.
The Bus serves about 240,000 passengers a day.