Reports of an impending strike by Honolulu bus drivers have been greatly exaggerated, say union representatives.
On Monday, O‘ahu Transit Services, the nonprofit company contracted to operate TheBus for the City and County of Honolulu, advised riders that TheBus employees could go on strike in the near future.
A statement by OTS claimed that the company has been in negotiations with the Hawai‘i Teamsters Local 996, which represents TheBus employees, for a new contract since June. After four months of negotiating, the two sides have not come to an agreement, leaving OTS to urge bus riders to consider alternative transportation plans in case of a potential strike.
But the Local 996 has stated that the union has made no such plans for a strike. On Monday, the union released a statement accusing OTS of acting in bad faith amid protracted negotiations.
“OTS is telling half-truths and using scare tactics to undermine the union,” said Hawai‘i Teamsters President Kevin Holu in a statement Monday.
The union has called for improved wages and pension contributions, medical coverage that includes dental and vision benefits and COVID-related hazard pay that has still not been paid out, Holu stated.
Holu claimed in statements throughout the week that OTS had cancelled three bargaining sessions scheduled to take place this week. But on Wednesday, he stated that OTS returned to the bargaining table on Tuesday night, following, he claimed, “an outpouring of support from our TheBus ‘ohana, our brothers and sisters at other local unions and the public at large.”
OTS has disputed this. Robert Yu, OTS President, said in a statement Wednesday, “It is important to note that at no time did we cancel any of our scheduled meetings with the union.”
Both the Local 996 and OTS are scheduled to continue bargaining into next week, Holu claimed. Yu’s statement Wednesday claimed that OTS has proposed that an independent third-party mediator step in during future bargaining sessions.
According to TheBus’ website, OTS employs nearly 1,500 people to operate or maintain TheBus system. The contract that is currently being negotiated covers about 1,400 employees and includes drivers, mechanics and office and administrative staff.
OTS touts an average weekday ridership of more than 214,000 passengers.
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
