Strike notice expected from O'ahu bus drivers

By Mike Gordon and Sara Lin
Advertiser Staff Writers

The union representing city bus drivers still plans to give a 72-hour strike notice just after midnight tonight, bringing O'ahu residents one step closer to a mass-transit shutdown.

City bus riders are still hoping for a breakthrough in negotiations that would avert a strike Tuesday morning. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

He doubted any development would change the notification schedule, saying yesterday that "it is pretty much set in stone."

Barring a last-minute settlement, the union has said it will go on strike at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, idling about 1,300 bus workers. Any strike without the 72-hour notice would be illegal under federal law, Boucher said.

But he noted that a final bargaining session is still set for Monday afternoon.

Union leaders prepared their "last and final offer" Wednesday night and will present it to the federal mediator and the O'ahu Transit Service at the Monday meeting, Boucher said.

An informational meeting for bus workers is planned for 6 p.m. today at union headquarters where Kahele plans to go over the details of that final proposal for a contract, Boucher said.

"Right now we are continuing strike preparations," Boucher said. "All our contingency plans are in place."

OTS spokeswoman Marilyn Dicus said the company is still waiting for the union's final proposal and did not know exactly when it would arrive.

The dwindling time frame is making bus riders more wary of a strike. While most commuters are not panicked about the prospect, some are lining up alternative means of transportation; others with fewer options hope a strike can be avoided.

KLOK

ELBERN

SINTON-HEWITT

Many bus riders are turning to family and co-workers for rides. Bruce Sinton-Hewitt, 42, catches the 97 Express Bus every morning from Waipahu to Kawaiaha'o Church where he works. He has asked his wife's niece for a ride into town if there is a strike next week.

"My main concern is how long it could go for. One of my colleagues said it could be weeks. I said, 'Yikes,' " said Sinton-Hewitt.

Jeananna Klok, 32, has a car, but for the past five years she has used the bus to get from her home in Wahiawa to Straub Clinic on King Street where she works. She said she'll drive to work next week if she has to.

"I am concerned. It's a lot of money out of pocket to pay for parking ... and gas," Klok said.

Without a car, Mimi Elbern, 38, relies on the bus to get from Waikiki to her job downtown. So if bus service were to shut down next week, she'd have to catch a cab.

"Or change my shoes and walk," she said. "There's no other way."

Pat Kalima, 62, of Punchbowl, figures she'd do the same. She uses the bus to do everything — shop for groceries, get to doctor's appointments, meet friends. She catches the bus to Waipahu where she does volunteer work.

"I guess I'll have to cut back a little on everything and use a cab," Kalima said.

But even if cab drivers were to extend their work hours to accommodate the extra business, taxis would be tied up in heavier traffic if many of TheBus' regular riders were to use their cars.

Kalima said of the labor dispute: "I just hope that if they do have to strike, it ends quickly with drivers being treated fairly. They put up with a lot of garbage sometimes."

Kellie Ko's parents drop her off at Roosevelt High School, but the 16-year-old relies on the bus to get everywhere else — to an after-school job in Liliha, to the mall or to return home.

"Maybe I'll catch a ride from a friend," she said, even if few of her friends have cars.

Benny Barber, 44, of Salt Lake, relies entirely on the bus to get around.

"I understand as a business they have to increase fares, but as far as cutting back service, they've got to have one with the other — increasing cost but still maintaining service," Barber said.

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.