Las Vegas bus drivers threaten strike, which could disrupt Super Bowl week
Southern Nevada Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) bus drivers and mechanics have approved a strike as settlement negotiations continue.
In votes on Thursday and Friday, the Associated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1637 overwhelmingly rejected the latest proposal from Transdev, the company that operates the RTC’s public bus service.
The union said its members rejected the proposal by a vote of 597 to 6. Employees want higher pay and more security.
For drivers and mechanics: no raise, no raise until next year after one year here,” bus driver and ATU member Dennis Hennessey told Las Vegas television station KTNV . “The increase is two percent. For those of us who are the highest-paid drivers, an 11-cent-an-hour raise — that’s nothing. "
Hundreds of union members may resign in the lead-up to and including Super Bowl 58. The big game will take place on February 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Motorists know the strike will affect hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to attend the Super Bowl and related events.
"If we had a strike to get people to watch the Super Bowl in the city, it would definitely be difficult because they wouldn't allow taxis or Ubers or Lyfts to drive near Allegiant Stadium," Hennessey said. "If buses It’s definitely going to be difficult if it’s empty and no one’s getting on.”
Hennessy added that management would not be able to find enough replacement drivers if a strike occurred, Las Vegas station KVVU reported.
The driver was beaten, attacked and spat on
In addition to wages, bus drivers are also concerned about the safety of their employees. Between March and September 2023, there were 17 violent acts on RTC buses.
“We have drivers being spat on, being punched, being assaulted — drivers shot out of their windows last week — and the RTC is not doing anything effective,” Hennessey told KTNV.
Transdev spokesman Bill Marion said in a statement that union members had received "significant pay increases" last summer. Management and the union then reached a tentative agreement "providing for annual investments of more than $6 million and guaranteed growth of at least 8 percent."
"The negotiation process was productive, professional and conducted in good faith by all parties. Transdev remains hopeful that a solution will be found quickly with its partners at ATU," the statement continued.
STRIKE IS ILLEGAL
Until a few days ago, Transdev had not received a formal strike notice from the union. The company said unions must give 30 days' written notice to stage a legal strike.
Both parties are acting within the framework of a valid agreement and therefore any breach of this agreement will be unlawful. "Transdev said in a statement. "Transdev expects ATU to honor its agreement and provide uninterrupted services to the public. We remain committed to providing safe and reliable service to our community. "
The Culinary Union has also threatened to go on strike on February 2 if an agreement is not reached between Las Vegas hotels and hotel workers who are still trying to reach an agreement.
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