Bus talks 'look promising'
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By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Staff Writer
A one-month-old bus strike showed signs of heading toward a conclusion last night, as the managers of the bus company and union representatives negotiated deep into the night.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
"Things look promising," said Mel Kahele, president of the Hawai'i Teamsters and Allied Workers Local 996. "I feel confident that we're probably looking at one settlement tonight."
Teamsters union officials Jim Santangelo, left, and Mel Kahele talk during a break in negotiations with OTS.
The Teamsters were seeking a five-year contract that would include an increase in pension benefits in the first, second, fourth and fifth years, and pay increases of more than 1.25 percent in the fourth and fifth years.
Entering negotiations yesterday, the union had accepted a wage-and-benefit freeze in the first year of the contract, while O'ahu Transit Services had agreed to wage increases in the fourth and fifth years.
OTS negotiators declined to offer details.
Even if a tentative settlement were reached during the night, long-suffering bus riders still would have to wait until next week to hop on TheBus.
Union officials said it will take at least two days to organize a vote on the contract.
If a settlement were ratified, TheBus mechanics said last night that it would take at least two more days to get the idled vehicles up and running.
There was a flurry of activity throughout the evening as both sides swapped various proposals under the guidance of federal mediator Carol Catanzariti.
Late in the afternoon, Catanzariti had OTS negotiator Perry Confalone, Kahele and their respective attorneys sequestered in a separate room for a sidebar discussion.
Jim Santangelo, vice president for the parent International Brotherhood of Teamsters, warned of a long night.
"I think you should all get your sleeping bags, because it's going to go a bit," Santangelo said. Because "all we care about is getting the people back and everybody be happy."
The bus strike began Aug. 26 after the Teamsters charged that cuts by the city to the OTS budget would reduce benefits and possibly mean layoffs.
Although the cuts have since been avoided, thanks to a fare increase by the City Council yesterday, the union still is seeking wage and benefits increases.
But the city said the fare increases will not mean that money is available for raises.
Bus workers make between $15.26 and $21.17 an hour. TheBus provides about 240,000 rides on a normal operating day.
Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
