Bus strike enters 5th day with no talks planned

By Johnny Brannon and Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Staff Writers

The two sides in O'ahu's bus strike remain divided over pay raises and possible layoffs, and striking bus workers say they won't return to their jobs without a signed contract giving them more than the status quo extension they've been offered.

Today marks the fifth day of the strike that has shut down the island's public bus system, and the second time talks to end the dispute have stalled. No new negotiations are scheduled.

Mayor Jeremy Harris called the Teamsters' negotiating conduct "erratic" and said their demands had been a moving target. "I am very disappointed that the union chose to walk away from the bargaining table yet again," Harris said.

Four City Council members last night urged bus workers and OTS officials to return to the bargaining table, but they stopped short of guaranteeing that they would support any wage or benefit increases for workers.

The council, and by extension the city, is not obligated to find money for the raises, Budget Chairwoman Ann Kobayashi said, but will have "a full and proper discussion" if there are additional costs. Kobayashi noted that "historically, the council has always honored the contractual agreements that come out of collective bargaining."

Seven of the nine council members signed a statement endorsing last night's position. Council Chairman Gary Okino said he did not because "I didn't think it was necessary for the council to make a statement at this time." He added, however, that he also encourages the union and company to come to an agreement soon. Councilwoman Barbara Marshall also did not sign on.

Harris said the Teamsters should accept an OTS offer assuring no layoffs or cuts to benefits, but should forget about seeking any pay raises.

"The taxpayers can't afford it, and the bus riders can't afford it," Harris said. "It's pointless to go out on strike for something that is an impossibility."

Teamsters President Mel Kahele said the union believed management had offered an unconditional, no-layoff clause over the life of the three-year contract, but that the company's latest offer opened the door to layoffs after one year.

He said the union was open to a contract guaranteeing no layoffs for just one year. But the company would have to improve pay or benefits as a trade-off, he said.

"We don't understand the company's motives," Kahele said.

In a letter that had convinced the union to return to the bargaining table, OTS president James Cowen stated Wednesday that "there will be no service reductions and no layoffs" if the City Council approves a promised fare increase next month.

The company's offer Thursday night allowed for layoffs if the council "fails, for any fiscal year, to provide sufficient funds to maintain current service levels, or in the event of disasters or terrorism."

OTS negotiator Perry Confalone said Kahele is "not accurate" on insisting that the company had offered a no-layoff clause for three years.

Kahele said the union is not seeking raises for the first year because it understands that money is not available from the city government, which contracts with OTS for bus service. It is, however, seeking raises of 50 cents an hour in the second and third years if the City Council approves money for them.

But Confalone said it was clear from the beginning that the memorandum was simply for a status quo contract. "It wasn't an inducement to come back to the table," he said. "That was explained to the union very carefully."

This isn't the first time Kahele and Confalone have butted heads. In 2000, a three-year agreement was reached only after Kahele had issued a 72-hour strike notice. It was Confalone's first time as a chief labor negotiator.

Confalone said workers could seek a return to their jobs if union officials endorse a letter of understanding that outlines a "status quo agreement," essentially keeping the current contract in place for three more years.

"They can make an unconditional offer to return to work, then it becomes the company's option either to accept that or not," Confalone said.

The Teamsters say that's not likely. "There does have to be a membership-approved contract before the picket lines go down and the buses are operating," union spokesman Chris Boucher said. "And with no new scheduled talks, I don't know when that's going to be."

Okino said he was concerned that ridership would drop after the strike ends, especially if the dispute drags on. That could produce a shortfall in projected fare revenue despite the pending fare increase, which aims to generate $6.8 million and avoid service cuts, he said.

Other officials yesterday seemed content to leave the strike a city matter for now. U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawai'i, said he hoped to speak with union leaders but was merely seeking information.

And Gov. Linda Lingle said she wouldn't step into negotiations unless the situation worsens enough to threaten public health and safety. "I try to let management and labor work it out," Lingle said. "I don't think it's helpful at this time because the city is the one going to have to pay for it."

Advertiser reporters Robbie Dingeman and Vicki Viotti contributed to this story.

Reach Johnny Brannon at jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com or Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com. Or reach either at 525-8070.