Negotiators Meet to Clarify Transit District’s Final Offer

On the 10th day of the Orange County bus strike, negotiators for drivers and management met face to face Wednesday for the first time since the beginning of the strike.

Orange County Transit District spokeswoman Joann Curran said the meeting was merely for “clarification of the district’s final offer,” which was rejected by the union in the same vote that launched the strike, but she added that the meeting was “a good sign.”

“The district isn’t prepared to negotiate as such. . . . But they’re talking, and it was a face-to-face meeting, which is progress. Over the weekend, they were meeting in separate rooms,” Curran said.

Last weekend, a state mediator shuttled between representatives of the two sides, who waited in different rooms.

Curran said Juliene Smith, head of striking United Transportation Union Local 19, requested the meeting for clarification of “some of the issues.” Curran said she met with management’s negotiator, Marlene Heyser, during the late afternoon and early evening.

Smith could not be reached for comment.

Curran said she did not know whether there would be further meetings today.

More bus drivers crossed their union’s picket lines Wednesday after Transit District officials vowed to begin hiring permanent replacements next week, but there was disagreement about the number. Transit District officials said the number of union drivers back on the job had more than doubled, to 26, on Wednesday. But strike leaders charged that transit officials were exaggerating and that only six drivers had crossed the picket line.

Both sides agreed, however, that any increase would have resulted from letters sent to drivers earlier this week in which OCTD General Manger James P. Reichert warned that strikers will be replaced unless they return to work by Monday.

The walkout began Dec. 8 after union members overwhelmingly rejected what the district called its final contract offer.

The offer called for a 7.5% wage hike over 3 1/2 years and included proposals for mandatory drug-testing before drivers renew their state licenses, increased use of part-time drivers, tighter discipline for unexcused absences and more contracting with private firms.

The union sought a 13% pay raise over the same period; the top pay rate now is $13 an hour.

The Transit District continued Wednesday to provide limited service on 13 of its 53 routes with management personnel, non-striking drivers and some trainees behind the wheel. Curran said the same routes will be served today.