Photo: Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority website
TAUNTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Bus drivers south of Boston are officially on strike, as contract negotiations continue.
Amalgamated Transit Unit (ATU) Local 1548 members began the strike Monday morning, picketing outside the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) headquarters in Taunton, Mass. ATU said contract negotiations have been ongoing since June, and they voted to authorize the strike back in August.
Local 1548 President/Business Agent Chuck Ryan said the roughly 135 workers will stay on the picket lines until they have a new contract. He claims the workers currently have the “lowest pay and the weakest benefits” out of all the regional transit authorities in the state.
“GATRA put an insulting offer on the table, and our members voted it down. It’s clear GATRA has no interest in giving our members a fair contract and providing our riders a reliable, safe, and affordable transit system,” said Ryan in the statement.
In a statement to WBZ NewsRadio, GATRA said their most recent offer included a 16% raise over three years, as opposed to the 21% raise the union is looking for. GATRA added that they have never refused to negotiate and they are ready to return to the bargaining table “at any time.”
“I am sure you appreciate that many of our customers are seniors, young people and those who depend on our transit services to get to doctors’ appointments, work, school and the grocery store. We remain committed to collaborating and achieving a favorable outcome so we are not forced to drop essential service to many of the areas and communities we serve,” said GATRA Administrator Mary Ellen DeFrias in the statement.
GATRA also acknowledged the strike in an alert to the community about service disruptions, and said their website and Facebook page will be “updated continuously” as the strike continues.
“There will be limited service on fixed route, ADA Paratransit, and Dial-A-Ride services run by operations out of GATRA's Taunton and Wareham offices. GATRA is committed to operating as much service as possible, prioritizing life sustaining medical trips. If your Dial-A-Ride or ADA Paratransit trip has been cancelled you will receive a notification,” said GATRA in the alert.