Those looking to use a bus in Orange County this week were nearly out of luck, but a last-minute agreement between the Orange County Transportation Authority and the union that represents maintenance employees will keep the buses running, at least for now.
While a deal has not yet been reached on the contract, Eric Jimenez, secretary-treasurer for the union, said in a statement that negotiations will resume at the request of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.
“The governor’s office senior leadership team has asked Teamsters Local 952 and OCTA to return to the bargaining table to reach an agreement. We have agreed to do so,” he said.
“We in hopes and have the best intentions of getting a good contract, but again, that’s going to take two parties, and OCTA is going to have to come to the table, they’re going to have to put their guard down and they’re going to have to bargain with us in good faith,” Jimenez told KTLA.
Health care benefits and wage issues were the sticking points in ratifying a new contract after the existing agreement expired on Sept. 30. The union approved a strike on Wednesday.
For information, visit octa.net.