Transit union leaders say contract negotiations will resume with MCTS officials on July 30th
MILWAUKEE -- In a statement issued to FOX6 News, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998 leaders say they'll meet with Milwaukee County Transit officials on July 30th -- as contract negotiations pick back up.
Roughly 750 MCTS bus drivers walked off the job at 3 a.m. on July 1st and began picketing at the Milwaukee County Transit System garages after contract negotiations between union leaders and transit officials broke down.
The strike lasted until 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 4th.
On Wednesday, July 15th, Local 998 President James Macon addressed rumors that another strike was in the works.
"There's a lot of rumors out there that we are planning on going on another job stoppage again. No, we have no plans at this time. Am I going to say if it's possible? Yes, it's possible," said Macon.
The county and union had been negotiating a new four-year contract.
Union leaders say among other things, they are wary of the county's goal to hire part-time drivers to help ease overtime work for full-time drivers.
Ahead of the three-day strike, we're told there were 10 meetings between Milwaukee County representatives and Local 998 leaders.
Still, there are many sticking points, and a contract agreement has not been reached.
The strike began one day after Local 998 leaders and MCTS representatives sat down with a federal mediator to try to come to a last-minute agreement -- but that did not happen.
In a statement issued on Thursday, July 16th, Local 998 President James Macon said:
"ATU Local 998 will meet with M.T.S./Milwaukee County on July 30th, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The County Executive continues to report that he is giving us a fair contract. Unfortunately, the Company is not stating accurate facts to the media. That is why the Union has attached the following proposals. We are going back to the table with the same proposal.
You also have a letter from James Martin and Matt Hanchek concerning the three-part negotiation that was sent to M.T.S. This paperwork was brought up at the county board meeting by me (James Macon) regarding their intentions with negotiations with the Union that was given to M.T.S. When concerns were addressed by the county board about the letter, the company admitted that the letter existed and Martin and Hanchek were part of the negotiation team.
Therefore, it proves the point that the paperwork is accurate of what they are financially able to offer us. Look at the "Lenient Plan" and compare it to what we are willing to take.
Therefore, we, the members of ATU Local 998 believe our proposal is FAIR."
READ IT: Statement and documents issued to FOX6 News by Local 998 leaders