TWU International Actively Assisting Local 1 as Members Fight the Bosses in Akron.
Akron Metro’s Bus Operators and other transit workers voted 294 to 2 to reject an “insulting and outrageous” three-year contract proposal that includes two years without raises. The proposal would also force TWU Local 1 families to pay $2,000 more annually for healthcare.
The vote, tallied on Tuesday, June 9, brought TWU Local 1 closer to a possible bus strike that would idle buses that now carry 22,000 daily riders in Akron and surrounding communities.
A state arbitrator issued the non-binding contract proposal on June 5. The Akron Metro Board accepted it Monday night, June 8, with one dissenting vote.
“My members are irate and more united than ever,” Local 1 President Wayne Cole said. “This proposal is insulting, outrageous, and 100% unacceptable. By endorsing this proposal, Akron Metro threw a whole lot of fuel onto the fire.”
Local 1 represents 315 Bus Operators, Vehicle Service Operators, and Clerical Workers at the transit agency. Their contract with Akron Metro expired in 2024.
Here are the details of the proposed three-year agreement effective June 2024:
- ZERO raise for 2024. No retroactive raises.
- ZERO raise 2025. No retroactive raises.
- 300% increase for family health insurance.
- 4% raise for 2026 – almost entirely wiped out by higher insurance premiums. The typical Bus Operator with a family would pay $2,075 more a year annually for healthcare
With the higher insurance costs, the real wage increase for a Bus Operator with a family would be less than 1%. A proposed $3,500 lump-sum payment is a one-time gimmick that does not increase workers’ hourly rates, union officers said. Much of it would be gobbled up by taxes.
“The full force and capabilities of the International Transport Workers Union, with 165,000 members nationwide, are being deployed to defend our hardworking blue-collar members in Akron against this vicious attack on their livelihoods,” TWU International President John Samuelsen said. “It’s unbelievable that the Democratic officials who control the Akron Metro Board and transit agency would declare war on working families like this. The party is looking to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Beating up on transit workers in Ohio is appalling on a human level but also is the equivalent of political malpractice.”
Workers are incensed that they’ve gone three years without a raise while Akron-Metro CEO Dawn Distler not only received annual raises, but bonus payments totaling more than $70,000.
After the vote, TWU International TUUS Division Director Willie Brown said the TWU would plan for a strike authorization vote. That would empower Local 1 leaders to call a walkout at a time of their choosing. They would have to give 10-days’ notice before walking off the job under Ohio law.
The International has been very active assisting Local 1, holding strike training sessions, attending membership meetings to give them updates, creating a webpage and running a media campaign including television and print newspaper ads blasting Akron Metro bosses for their mistreatment of workers. International President John Samuelsen, Secretary-Treasurer Jerome Lafragola and others have made trips to Ohio to give advice and direction.