Teamsters Local 542 members hold strike after contract talks with Transdev failed
Abraham Retana
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Teamsters Union Local 542 announced they have voted to authorize and initiate a strike in El Centro.
According to a press release, the strike, which started Monday at 4:00 a.m. Pacific, comes after “negotiations for a new successor contract failed to produce an agreement.”
Local 542 says their members prefer a fair and equitable resolution at the bargaining table, but said “essential terms and conditions must be addressed” before a tentative agreement is reached.
The union also says the strike will impact Imperial Valley residents who rely on public transportation to get to work, school, medical appointments and essential daily travel, and said the decision was not made lightly.
“Our members want to avoid a work stoppage, but they cannot accept a contract that fails to meet the basic standards required to protect workers and ensure safe, reliable service for the public” the union stated. “We remain committed to reaching a fair agreement and urge Transdev to return to the table with proposals that reflect the vital role our members play in the Imperial Valley’s transportation system.”
While the strike will continue until a tentative agreement is reached, the union said they are ready to continue negotiations at any time.