Strike talks continue

Orange County Transportation Authority bus services remained severely reduced Monday as striking bus drivers went back into talks with transportation officials.

The strike began Saturday after contract talks broke down late Friday. The bus drivers’ union went back to the table with transportation authority leaders Monday afternoon, but no resolution had been reached by evening.

“Obviously the fact that we’re still talking is a good sign,” authority spokesman Joel Zlotnik said.

As many of those who depend on buses made back-up transportation plans, Costa Mesa volunteer Richard Meredith was helping to fill the gap.

Through his homeless assistance group, Christian Volunteers, Meredith shuttled people through the weekend in his own car to places like the Lighthouse church and Someone Cares Soup Kitchen.

“We’re seeing people who can’t get to their work and people riding their bikes and everything else,” he said. “I have a friend who, next week if the buses aren’t running, I’ll need to take him to a dialysis appointment and he’ll be calling me — and I’ll see that he gets there one way or another.”

According to the Orange County Transportation Authority, 31 of its regular 81 routes were in service Monday.

Zlotnik said the authority’s last offer, which the driver’s union rejected, would have spread a 14.6% increase in salaries and benefits over three years.

The increase totaled $18 million out of a total $209 million contract for 1,100 workers.

“What the issue is, is wages and pension and health insurance,” drivers’ union spokesman Patrick Kelly said. “There’s some issues over where the wages go and pension contributions…. We’re under $1 million apart depending on how you compute it.”

Transportation authority officials estimate more than 220,000 people in Orange County are affected by the bus strike.