HONOLULU (KHON2) — Could the long road of negotiations between O‘ahu Transit Services and Hawai‘i Teamsters Local 996 reach its final stop?
Bus driver’s union returns to bargaining table with Teamsters
O‘ahu Transit Services has drafted up its last, best and final offer for TheBus union employees who are represented by Hawai‘i Teamsters Local 996.
Teamsters say no bus strike planned, but OTS says it has to be ready just in case
Over 950 bus drivers, mechanics, office staff and more are represented by Hawai‘i Teamsters, who had been operating without a deal since June, after their seven-year contract expired.
On Oct. 14, talks were announced to be back on after an ongoing contract dispute between the two.
Late last night on Oct. 31, after five months of negotiations, OTS’s final contract offer came through, which includes:
- A 16% increase over four years or a 4% increase each year.
- 100% employer-paid medical coverage for active employees and their families.
- 100% employer-paid lifetime medical coverage for retirees and their spouses.
- 100% employer-paid pension contribution.
This new deal would affect an estimated 1,400 TheBus operators, mechanics, support and administrative staff. OTS says this new proposed contract could help those employees fast-track to reach the top of their pay scale by two years.
“After listening to the Teamsters and the proposals of the negotiating committee, we did our best to meet many of their requests and believe we have offered a competitive package with excellent benefits. We hope the Teamsters will encourage our employees to vote for ratification of our offer,” said Robert Yu, OTS president.
Employees’ benefits and wages now account for 75% of OTS’s total operating costs.
If Teamsters and employees don’t accept the offer, OTS officials have said they encourage all 130,000 daily riders of TheBus to find ‘alternative transportation plans.’
