Metro Transit still hopes settlement can be achieved

MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 16, 2006) – Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb said tonight he remains hopeful that the transit system can achieve a settlement with members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005.

ATU leaders announced tonight that their members had rejected the final offer of the Metropolitan Council, the parent organization of Metro Transit. Local 1005 represents about 2,200 of the 2,600 employees of Metro Transit, including bus and train operators and mechanics.

“We are disappointed because we felt our offer was fair and equitable,” Lamb said. “Nevertheless, we will return to the bargaining table to work diligently with union negotiators on a new offer.”

Given the margin of defeat – just 53 percent to 47 percent – Lamb said he is confident representatives of management and the union can still work out an agreement. “While we have no more dollars to put on the table, it may be possible to shift some of the dollars around to make our offer more appealing to ATU members,” he said.

“We have managed to build a good working relationship with ATU leaders in this round of negotiations,” Lamb added. “A settlement is still within reach and it’s in the best interests of everyone – our transit system, our employees and our customers.”

In 2004, the transit system was shut down for 44 days after negotiations with the union broke down over wages and health care benefits. The contract that ended the strike expired July 31, 2005, and more than 20 bargaining sessions have been held in an effort to forge a new agreement.

Metro Transit, a service of the Metropolitan Council, is the nation’s 11 th largest bus system and operates the Hiawatha light-rail transit line. Customers board its buses and trains more than 240,000 times each weekday.

Return to News Releases