BAKERSFIELD, CA-- Golden Empire Transit bus drivers and maintenance workers Tuesday night rejected the latest contract offer from management. It's a bold move by union members considering their current contract will expire soon.
A veteran bus driver told 17 News one of the main reasons for voting down the contract was union members did not like a rule that employees must work at least 2,080 before they are eligible for a raise. Under this proposal if an employee calls in sick or misses work it will delay the raise until the hours are met. They are used to getting annual pay hikes regardless of the hours worked. 17 News talked with a GET official about the union vote and the possibility of a strike.
"Well we will go back to the table and we will certainly be bargaining in good faith and truly believe they are doing the same,” said Gina Hayden, GET. “We feel that we will come to an agreement fairly quickly. We want what's best for our employees and we also want what's best for the district."
Negotiations for the GET employees were being handled by the teamsters from local 517 in Visalia. A Teamster official said it was not likely a strike would occur, for now.
A veteran bus driver told 17 News one of the main reasons for voting down the contract was union members did not like a rule that employees must work at least 2,080 before they are eligible for a raise. Under this proposal if an employee calls in sick or misses work it will delay the raise until the hours are met. They are used to getting annual pay hikes regardless of the hours worked. 17 News talked with a GET official about the union vote and the possibility of a strike.
"Well we will go back to the table and we will certainly be bargaining in good faith and truly believe they are doing the same,” said Gina Hayden, GET. “We feel that we will come to an agreement fairly quickly. We want what's best for our employees and we also want what's best for the district."
Negotiations for the GET employees were being handled by the teamsters from local 517 in Visalia. A Teamster official said it was not likely a strike would occur, for now.