The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is encouraging the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 998 to stay on the job. ATU leaders say they may go on a strike July 1, despite a new contract proposal from MCTS that would increase bus drivers and mechanics pay.
MCTS presented the new contract to ATU on Friday afternoon. The average MCTS bus driver will make more than $62,000 this year in salary and overtime. The proposed contract includes even more money for drivers and mechanics along with a matching $500 Flexible Spending Account to help offset modest increases in healthcare costs.
The cost of healthcare for MCTS employees and retirees currently accounts for approximately 20 percent of the total MCTS budget every year, if no changes are made, that cost will balloon to 30 percent in five years and 40 percent in 10 years.
MCTS and ATU will meet again June 30.
“We remain committed to avoiding a strike and ask union leaders to work with us to continue serving the community,” said MCTS Managing Director Dan Boehm. “We believe the proposal we put forward improves MCTS and our future sustainability, while also rewarding drivers and mechanics for the excellent and important job they do.”
