Looks like the buses will be running on time (or as close to on time as buses run) again.
Weeks ago bus drivers with Metropolitan Transit System left South County riders stranded as they took to the picket line to resolve issues they had with their employer, Transdev.
MTS has its own set of drivers but in this case they provided buses while Transdev, a worldwide staffing company, provided the drivers; so the dispute was between a private contractor and its employees, members of Teamsters Local 683, working in a public capacity and asking for better working conditions and fair wages.
In late May the private company made its last and final offer and the stalemate continued, leaving the essential workers that drive buses and the ones who ride them to their economy-boosting jobs stranded.
But last week the MTS board voted to throw the company an extra $1 million—as long as that money found its way to drivers.
“The top priority is to get bus service back to normal levels so MTS can continue providing the vital services our passengers depend on,” said board chairman and San Diego city councilman Stephen Whitburn.
That $1 million was in addition to a reportedly extra $21 million MTS added to Transdev’s contract so that drivers could get a $2 bump.
The recent million dollar infusion was enough to get the Teamsters to end their strike and return to their people movers this week.
If you’re the bus drivers, you’re happy.
If you’re the riders, you’re happy.
If you’re MTS you’re relieved.
If you’re Transdev, with a valuable contract locking MTS into your services for another few years, you’re ecstatic because you have managed to hold out long enough so that the entity you already have an existing contract with coughs up more money so that you can get your underpaid employees working again.
And if you’re a mildly interested third-party watching this unfold you’re a little confused because you have to be wondering what’s the point of a contract if you end up paying more than you bargained for? And when will you have to do it again?
