OCTA Board OKs Bus Drivers Contract

A new contract approved by Orange County bus drivers April 27 to avert a strike was formally ratified by the Orange County Transportation Authority’s board of directors Monday.

Meeting in a special, closed-door session, the board approved the contract. The board later issued a statement quoting board Chairman William G. Steiner as acknowledging that the agreement “requires economic sacrifice by our coach operators” and describing it as “clearly designed to provide better service to the bus rider.”

Under the five-year contract, the county’s 735 drivers will have their $17.06 hourly wage reduced by 46 cents, and they will be required to pay as much as $140 more a month for health benefits over the first three years.

Over the final two years of the drivers’ contract, however, their pay will come back up by increments, eventually returning to slightly higher than its current level, and some health benefits will be restored.

The new contract also will decrease break times and bus inspection periods and, beginning the fourth year, will impose tougher restrictions on absenteeism while easing restrictions on the use of part-time drivers.

Transit officials had said the reductions are necessary to help pay for a $38-million shortfall expected next year after that much in OCTA funds is transferred to the county to help it recover from bankruptcy.