Akron’s METRO bus drivers plan to take a strike vote later this month, following the union’s rejection of a fact-finder’s recommendation that would have given workers a lump-sum payment but not retroactive raises.
The Transport Workers Union Local 1 vote will take place June 30, President Wayne Cole said in a text message. A majority vote would give the union the power to call a strike against METRO at a time of its choosing. The union must give 10 days’ notice before striking.
In a statement, METRO said the system has not received formal communication regarding a potential strike vote.
“METRO remains focused on good-faith bargaining and continuing to provide safe, reliable service to the community,” the statement said.
A spokesperson did not respond to a question about whether METRO intended to return to the bargaining table. Cole, in a text message, said he’s heard nothing from management. He did not return a phone call seeking further comment.
In an emailed statement, Cole said workers are furious about how they’ve been treated by management after three years without a raise.
“Akron Metro has treated transit workers like second-class citizens, with disrespect and contempt,” he said. “We do not want to strike but if that’s what it takes to get a fair contract, we will strike.”
Union has support for strike from national leaders
TWU International Administrative Vice President Curtis Tate said in the statement the union is open to contract negotiations but only if Akron METRO is “deadly earnest and realistic.”
The union’s more than 300 bus operators, vehicle maintenance workers and clerical workers voted 294-2 to reject the fact-finder’s proposal that the METRO board accepted in an 11-1 vote the day before. The nonbinding report recommended a lump-sum payment in lieu of retroactive raises for 2024 and 2025 and a 4 percent raise in 2026.
At the same time, it recommended that TWU members pay a larger share of healthcare costs, an expense the union said would wipe out any increase in salaries.
The union also said in its statement that METRO’s refusal to grant the Juneteenth holiday to its majority-Black workforce is a sticking point.
National leaders said previously that if Akron workers chose to strike, they would have the support of the 165,000 the TWU represents.
“We will do whatever it takes to secure a contract that recognizes the huge responsibility Local 1 bus workers have in providing safe and necessary transportation, addresses the high cost of living, and delivers the dignity and respect they deserve,” TWU International President John Samuelsen said in the statement.
