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Port Authority union leaders vote for driver strike
The 20-member executive board of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 plans to recommend its drivers, maintenance workers and secretaries vote in favor of a strike during two meetings with union members scheduled for Nov. 20 at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland.
Union President Patrick McMahon said today voting for a strike is the only leverage workers have to negotiate a fair contract. Employees have been working without a contract since July 1. The key issue is how much union workers should pay for health care benefits.
Port Authority of Allegheny County provides service for 68 million riders annually in the county and parts of surrounding counties. It is the nation’s 15th largest public transportation system.
The union’s counterparts in Philadelphia ended a week-long strike this morning. About 5,300 union bus drivers for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority walked off the job Oct. 31 after negotiators could not agree on issues including health care. Gov. Ed Rendell intervened to help broker an agreement.
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