Capital Metro union votes to authorize strike
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Just as Austin prepares to make public transit accommodations for the U.S. Grand Prix next weekend, some Capitol Metro employees are threatening to strike.
The union voted yesterday to authorize its president to call a strike at any time. Eighty-six percent of the union supported the move.
The union has filed several grievances against Capital Metro's management company, McDonald Transit, based in Fort Worth, which took over management of fixed-route service back in August.
Among other charges, the union claims McDonald has unfairly changed wages, benefits and working conditions.
According to union president Jay Wyatt, a strike is probable.
Capital Metro officials say the transportation company is not involved with the negotiations between the union and McDonald Transit. They say the two parties have been trying to work out an agreement for the past few months.
Cap Metro President Linda Watson released a statement Friday saying that a strike…
…would involve our fixed-route bus service only, and not affect MetroRail, MetroAccess or UT shuttles.Of course, we are concerned about the potential impact a strike would have on our customers, and have developed contingency plans with our contractors to provide as much service as possible.
Watson says a bus loop around Austin to accommodate F1 weekend will operate as planned.