TheBus employees ratify new 5-year pact
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
The union representing O'ahu Transit Services bus drivers, mechanics, maintenance workers and clerical staff tonight ratified a new five-year contract calling for wage increases totaling 21 percent.
Members of the Hawaii Teamsters & Allied Workers Union Local 996 voted 844-103 with one voided ballot to approve the new contract.
"I think it's a good contract for the next five years because nothing was taken away and they got some extra benefits," said Asi Fakaosi, Local 996 assistant president.
J. Roger Morton, OTS president and general manager, was also pleased with the agreement, which he says will cost about $3.4 million in the fiscal year 2009 or about $200,000 over what had been budgeted.
Sharing projected budget figures with the union made the "negotiations run more smoothly and businesslike," Morton said.
The agreement assures no disruption of service at a critical time for OTS and its riders, Morton said.
"It will give us time to try and improve our customer services," Morton said.
The contract affects about 1,400 OTS employees.
The major points of the new deal:
The first four years of the wage package averages about 4 percent, which is comparable to contracts for teachers and government works, Morton said.
OTS is a non-profit organization that manages TheBus for the city. Its fleet of 525 buses services 92 routes with 955 bus operators and daily ridership is about 230,000 boardings.
Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.
