Rejected: 92% of MCTS bus drivers union members vote "no" on latest contract

MILWAUKEE -- Leaders of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998, the MCTS bus drivers union, said on Monday evening, October 5th union members voted to REJECT the latest contract being offered by Milwaukee County.

Local 998 leaders say the vote was 92% to reject the proposed contract -- and authorize a "work action," if necessary, as determined by union leaders.

James Macon, president of ATU Local 998 tells FOX6 News the next step is arbitration, and that a strike has not been planned or authorized at this point.

Union leaders say a letter has been sent to MCTS officials -- requesting they come back to the bargaining table to resume negotiations.

Macon said this in a statement:

MCTS issued this statement:

Details of the contract (according to MCTS):

Increased wages

Slight increase in health care costs

Part-time drivers

Ahead of Monday's vote, MCTS officials encouraged Local 998 members to "seriously consider" the contract they will be voting on -- issuing this statement to FOX6 News:

An inability to reach a contract agreement led to a three-day strike during Summerfest back in July. MCTS buses were out of service for 72 hours, as bus drivers worked the picket lines.

As union members cast their votes on Monday, there were sticking points up to the very end.

"There are way too many part-time workers," Donnell Shorter, MCTS body mechanic said.

"My members realize, they are not buying into their crap," Macon said. "They want to give (the part-time drivers) 20 hours, and then they can volunteer to work as many hours as they want to."

MCTS officials say part-timers would not work more than full-time operators who are guaranteed 30 to 40 hours per week. They also wouldn't pay into or receive a pension.

"Why would you want to bring someone in and work full time hours and not give them pension and benefits?  That`s ridiculous," Macon said.

"I think it`s more fear mongering and misrepresentation intentionally by the union," Brendan Conway, MCTS spokesman said.

Salary is the other big sticking point. While MCTS claims a total five-and-a-half percent increase in wages, union leaders say increases to insurance premiums and deductibles will mean fewer take-home dollars.

"They`d still have about $800 more in their pocket in those two years," Conway said.

While union leaders aren't calling for another strike at this point, Macon is calling for arbitration -- where a third party would settle this contract issue.

"Let`s go to arbitration. If you want to get something done, let`s go back to the table," Macon said.

It is unclear when arbitration could begin, but Macon tells FOX6 News he's already filed the paperwork to begin the process.