Union and CATS Head to Interest Arbitration to Settle Contract
After a unified and strong six-day strike, CATS workers, members of ATU Local 1546-Baton Rouge, LA, reached an agreement with management to rescind the Agency’s imposition of their final contract offer. The two sides will now go to interest arbitration to work towards a contract that meets the demands of the Union.
The deal comes just days after ATU International President John Costa traveled to Baton Rouge to join the strikers on the picket lines to put pressure on CATS.
“Our members stood strong and united throughout this process. CATS tried to divide us,” said Local President/Business Agent George DeCuir. “This strike shows that our members are willing to lay it all on the line for justice. I want to thank our International President John Costa, our riders, elected officials, and all our allies for coming out and standing with us. We are now headed to interest arbitration to get a deal done for our members.”
After months of fruitless negotiations between CATS and the Union, the workers went on strike on March 3 because the Agency imposed its final contract offer that failed to address any of our Local’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.
“I am proud of our CATS members who were willing to go to the mat to fight for their contract and a better transit system for their riders. On the picket lines, I saw firsthand their strength, unity, and solidarity,” said Costa. “Our members are frontline heroes and can now get back to keeping Baton Rouge moving safely and reliably. It was an honor to hold the line with you. Now it’s time to go to interest arbitration and settle this the right way and get the fair and just contract our members deserve.”