Bus union and
OTS agree to talkThey are to meet at the federal
mediator's office; wages remain
the major contention
After a day of heated talk about the 24-day-old bus strike yesterday, Teamsters Local 996 and the private company that runs the bus system for the city agreed to return to the bargaining table.
Nine days after talks broke off Sept. 10, the two sides were to meet at the federal mediator's office at 10 a.m. today.
Perry Confalone, OTS's chief negotiator, said the mediator had informed the company that the union had asked to reconvene, while Chris Boucher, a union spokesman, said the mediator contacted the union.
Wages remain the main sticking point in negotiations for a new three-year contract.
The union's last proposal included a wage freeze for the first year, and 50 cents-an-hour wage increases and 50 cents-an-hour pension gains the remaining two years. OTS last offered a 90-day cooling-off period, during which employees would return to work and negotiations would continue.
The union will hold a 2 p.m. rally today at the state Capitol courtyard.
Yesterday morning, the "Perry & Price" show on KSSK radio was again the forum for wrangling in which some angry bus employees yelled at union President Mel Kahele.
Mayor Jeremy Harris held a news conference yesterday in response to comments made on the show.
"It's clear to me that most of the bus drivers want to get back to work," Harris said, adding that most are happy with the proposed contract.
"The only people standing in the way are the Teamster bosses," Harris said. "I challenge the Teamster leadership to ask your drivers -- put it out for a vote to the drivers themselves and let them decide whether they are going to come back to work and accept the great contract they already have."
The mayor also criticized tough-talking Jim Santangelo, vice president for the Western region of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who promised financial support from the parent union to the 1,336 striking bus workers.
He said Santangelo spread misinformation on the radio show that the workers were locked out and that the company was unwilling to negotiate.
Harris said workers are on strike and that OTS has been willing to return to the talks.
Unionized bus workers, who have been on strike since Aug. 26, are barred from collecting unemployment unless at least 70 percent of regular bus service is provided, said city spokeswoman Carol Costa.
Union leaders would not respond to the mayor's comments, Boucher said.
Some picketing bus workers at the Middle Street bus yard, who did not want their names used, said they were unhappy with Kahele and that he lacked experience and tact.
But bus driver Mike Sheppard said Kahele was doing a good job, but "he didn't articulate his message."
"Everybody wants to get back to work; everybody is getting worn down," said bus driver Al Kaai, assistant strike captain. But he thought most bus workers support the strike.
After Santangelo's arrival, "everyone's spirits lifted," Kaai said.
