CATS bus driver union votes to strike after no deal reached

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Area Transit System bus drivers have voted to strike, saying the relationship between themselves and the company is strained.

They told Channel 9′s Glenn Counts new management refuses to take care of their drivers. The ongoing disagreement has created tension between drivers and management.

Counts learned the drivers’ union, SMART Union, voted to move forward with the strike on Saturday with an overwhelming 256 to 14 vote.

Due to federal law, there is a 30-day cooling period before the strike can actually begin. If a deal is not made by that time, drivers are allowed to walk.

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Union sources said there are two driving factors behind the strike: They claim higher-ups are trying to cut their pension, and also cut family health insurance. The company will provide health insurance to the drivers, but the drivers will be responsible for covering their families on their own.

Charlotte continues to grow by the day, and the need for public transportation is growing with it.

Bonnie Buchanan is 72 years old and semi-retired. She told Counts that a strike would stop her from getting to work so she might not be able to pay her bills.

“Well, I wouldn’t be able to get back and forth to work which means I can’t pay the bills,” Buchanan said. “So, I mean it would be a big impact.”

Shnautica McCrory is a regular passenger on the CATS buses to and from work. She said a strike would be devastating.

“It would stop me from going to work and that means I would have to spend money on Lyfts and Ubers rather than spending $1.10 to get on a bus to go to work,” McCrory said.

Another passenger, Graham Peterson, understands and supports the drivers.

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“The people are justified in threatening to strike and I think that it should alert the people in charge overall that something needs to be done,” said Peterson.

Counts reached out to CATS and the transit company said they are not handling the negotiations. A CATS spokesperson said RATP Dev, headquartered in Paris, is negotiating with the union. CATS said that makes it impossible for a spokesperson to comment on the union’s concerns, but said they are hopeful both parties will reach an agreement soon.

CATS shares contingency plan if bus drivers strike

On Tuesday, CATS shared information on Twitter about what would happen if union bus drivers went on strike. The company did say it is unaware of any planned strike by SMART Union bus drivers.

We wanted to share the following information to help the community understand the steps that will be taken if there were to be a strike by SMART Union bus operators. Below we have added the contingency plans for reduced workforce scenarios. pic.twitter.com/PkyyvdajiL
— CATSRideTransit (@CATSRideTransit) January 10, 2023

First, CATS said it would communicate through its website, CATS social, CATS-Pass app, Rider’s Alerts, local media outlets and posted notices at Charlotte Transportation Center pass sale windows.

CATS said RATP Dev would not be able to warn them ahead of time about the number of drivers reporting to work until their shifts begin. Because of that, CATS said they expect bus service to be significantly impacted. They said they’ll be sure to communicate any changes to service in real time based on staffing levels.

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Paratransit (CATS Special Transportation Service) and rail operators wouldn’t be affected if the union went on strike because they are city employees, CATS said. They added routes might change with little notice based on staffing levels.

“Route selection for reduced workforce scenarios will be prioritized based on ridership, service to essential destinations (i.e. healthcare facilities) and staffing levels,” CATS said. “If there is a workforce shortage, all express routes will be suspended until further notice.”

CATS added they want the community to know both RATP Dev and SMART Union are still negotiating the terms of their agreement.

“CATS remains supportive without participating in the process. CATS will continue to release information to the community as it is available,” the transit company said. “Our mission is to continue to provide essential mobility solutions that connect communities to opportunity, places and each other.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Embattled CATS CEO John Lewis resigns from position)