Port Authority Union Sets Strike Vote Date

Pittsburgh Bus, Trolley Drivers May Walk If Management Imposes Contract

UPDATED: 4:16 pm EST November 12, 2008

PITTSBURGH -- About 2,200 bus and trolley drivers, mechanics and clerks could stop working soon if the Port Authority of Allegheny County forces a new contract on them.

WTAE Channel 4's news exchange partner, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reported that Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 will vote on Nov. 23 to decide if they'll strike to protest the contract being imposed on them.

If the workers vote to walk off the job, a strike could happen at any time after the vote is taken. They have been working without a contract for more than four months.

In October, the Port Authority's board voted to impose a new contract on Dec. 1. Port Authority CEO Steve Bland said it's the agency's last option because negotiations have reached an impasse, but union President Pat McMahon said it's illegal.

According to the Port Authority, the new deal calls for a 3 percent pay raise in each of the next three years, and it increases employee contributions on health care from about 3 percent of the premium to 7.5 percent in 2009 and 10 percent in 2010.

The union said drivers are being locked out because the Port Authority is unilaterally changing working conditions. However, the Port Authority said a work stoppage would be a strike, not a lockout.

County Executive Dan Onorato has threatened to withhold $27 million in Port Authority funds that was collected through the county's 10 percent drink tax unless a new contract is reached soon.

The Port Authority says it wants to help riders find alternatives in case union workers stage a walkout.

A new website includes information about things like pass fare reimbursement and park-and-ride accessibility. Visit pghtransitinfo.com for more information.

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