The Washoe County bus drivers union is hinting at a strike after negotiations on a new contract failed over the weekend.
“Keolis wants Reno/Sparks to look like this again after breaking off negotiations yesterday,” the union posted on Sunday along with a photo of the October 2021 drivers’ strike.
Keolis is the company that contracts with the Washoe County Regional Transportation Commission to provide bus driver services. The Teamsters 533 union represents the drivers.
Because the drivers are working under an expired contract, “a strike could happen at any time,” Gary Watson, president of Teamsters 533, told 2 News Nevada on Monday. “Keolis could lock out the employees as well.”
He added that the contract proposed by Keolis does not provide for wage increases in line with inflation.
“It’s not feasible with the wages on offer,” he said.
Keolis seems to disagree.
“At the end of negotiations on Saturday, we made an offer that includes the following increases for the next three years: wage increases of approximately 29%, a $3,000 ratification bonus for employees, increased pension contributions totaling $1.00 per hour, increased employer contributions to employee health insurance, and other favorable changes to employee terms and conditions of employment,” a spokesperson wrote.
Both the union and Keolis said they were committed to reaching a new agreement, but neither said how soon.
