As Burlington’s transit strike completed a second day, the union representing Chittenden County Transportation Authority bus drivers said it has prepared a counter-proposal to present to management.
Teamsters local 597 business agent Tony St. Hilaire said the drivers offered to meet with CCTA officials as soon as Wednesday, but said that offer was rejected.
CCTA general manager Bill Watterson said in a statement late Tuesday that the company did not reject a meeting Wednesday, rather it asked the union for time to review the counter-proposal, which it had not received.
“While CCTA has not yet received a proposal from the Union, CCTA hopes a forthcoming proposal will
represent compromise that will move us forward,” Watterson said in the statement. “Whether the proposal shows real movement from previous positions will be an important measure of how serious the Union is about ending the strike. Upon receiving a written proposal, CCTA will immediately review it. If it is a serious proposal representing compromise, CCTA will be happy to sit down with the Union with the assistance of a neutral third party federal mediator.”
Drivers earlier rejected binding arbitration to settle the contract dispute, but the Burlington City Council is proceeding with a special meeting Wednesday evening on a resolution to support binding arbitration as a solution to the strike. The three Progressives on the council signed a letter in support of drivers and will not attend the special meeting, according to an email statement from Mark McGrath of the Community Solidarity Committee.
The strike, which began Monday, affects about 10,000 commuters, including hundreds of students who attend public schools in Chittenden County. Striking drivers have maintained a picket line near the Cherry Street transit center since Monday morning.
