HONOLULU (KHON2) — Oahu bus riders are caught in the middle of a messy contract dispute. The Teamsters union says it has no plans to have bus drivers walk off the job at this time. But the bus operators say, it has to prepare itself and its riders, just in case.
Union leaders for Oahu’s bus drivers want to send a clear message to management.
“Stop playing your silly tactics,” said Kevin Holu, Hawaii Teamsters & Allied Workers Local 996 President. “Let’s get down to the bottom of this. And get a deal done.”
Oahu Transit Service, TheBus operators, sent out a news release warning its riders to consider alternative transportation plans after contract negotiations on Monday, Oct. 13.
“We had requested a one-week notification if they were planning on striking, and the response to us was they were not obligated to let us know that there would be a strike,” said Jenny Lemaota, OTS Deputy General Manager. “So again, it was out of an abundance of caution to let our riders know because we know they’re very dependent on TheBus.”
“That has never come from this office,” said Holu. “It has never come from me to even seek a strike at this moment. I feel we are far away from it. And we really wanna get a deal done.”
Hawaii Teamsters Local 996, which represents all 950 or so bus drivers, plus mechanics and office staff, has been working without a deal since June, when their seven-year contract expired.
Right now, the union says sticking points are a bump in pay and hazard pay from working during COVID.
“Livable wages, underpaid, overworked,” said Holu. “And you know the price of paradise is just it’s unreachable right now.”
“How far apart are you on the negotiations? Pretty far, unfortunately,” said Lemaota.
OTS says it’s offering a very comprehensive package, including 100 percent medical for employees and their families, retirees and their spouses, and 100 percent contribution to pension.
TheBus services about 130,000 riders every month. Both OTS and the Teamsters say they understand the importance it has for the public and the ramifications if a strike were to happen.
“To ask the question how important they are, super important,” said Holu. “They keep Hawaii moving. And they’ve been doing that for many, many years.”
“We are hoping not to have a strike,” said Lemaota. “So we’re trying everything that we can, putting our best foot forward, on the negotiation table.”
OTS says it is scheduled to meet with the Teamsters. But the union says talks are canceled.