Union Frustrated over CATS imposing Final Contract Offer, Serious Safety Issues, and Other Concerns
Baton Rouge, LA – After months of stalled negotiations, frustrated Capital Area Transit System (CATS) workers, members of ATU Local 1546-Baton Rouge, LA., are set to go on strike on Monday, March 3 at 3AM after CATS imposed its final contract offer and refuses to address serious safety concerns.
In hopes of avoiding a strike, the Union and CATS management met earlier this week. After the Union set a deadline to meet again on Thursday, CATS CEO Theo Richards never came back to the table, leading to the Union to decide to strike.
“CATS has left us with no other choice but to walk off the job. We want the citizens of Baton Rouge to know we did not want to strike. We hope they stand with us. Our frontline bus operators who keep our city moving have been ignored for far too long by CATS management,” said Local President/Business Agent George DeCuir. “We have been willing to sit down and get a deal done. But it has become clear CATS has no interest in giving our members a fair contract and our riders the transit system that they deserve.”
At the end of January, CATS refused to negotiate with the Union and instead implemented its own contract offer without Union approval, increasing tensions between the two sides. The contract failed to address the Union’s key concerns and made changes to disciplinary, grievance and overtime policies without input from the Union. Earlier in January, after CATS had gone back on their promises during ongoing negotiations, the almost 100 workers overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike if necessary.
“Our Union only uses a full strike as a last resort since we don’t want to abandon our riders who depend on us. But CATS has left us with no other option,” said ATU International President John Costa. “This isn’t just about a contract, it’s about ensuring a safe and reliable transit system. Public transit should not be treated like an afterthought. For the sake of our riders and community, it’s time for CATS management to come back to the table immediately to get a fair deal done for these frontline workers. But rest assured our members will stand together in solidarity until we win.”