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:


READ IT: Statement and documents issued to FOX6 News by Local 998 leaders