Tucson bus riders will get a bit of a financial break during the coronavirus outbreak, with Sun Tran zeroing out all fares. Riders should enter by the rear door, and sit apart as much as possible, officials said.... Read more»
If past is prologue, talks over a new Tucson transit deal are going to get ugly as labor and management resume their dance. Sun Tran's contract with the Teamsters will run out July 31, and the parties aren't talking much about if they're even talking. Will the city move to forestall yet another bus strike?... Read more»5
The City Council has for months now been weighing, mulling, ruminating and groaning under the weight of indecision concerning an increase in bus fares. Relax, gang. A fare increase is fine. But any hike should be included in a plan that locks Sun Tran's labor union into a long-term deal to avoid another strike and to get a grip on the cost of the system.... Read more»1
About 200 union workers in Tucson and Phoenix are picketing against food distributor US Foods, claiming discrimination against union employees and that the company is bargaining in bad faith.... Read more»
Phoenix bus drivers marched through City Hall to protest the latest contract offer from the company that manages a portion of city bus routes. Transdev also runs Tucson's Sun Tran system, which just saw drivers strike for 42 days before a settlement was reached.... Read more»
Monday, the private management of Tucson’s bus system and the Teamsters union released a contract negotiated nearly two weeks ago. The agreement shows that each Sun Tran worker received at least a 30-cent hourly raise, with many seeing pay bumps of $3-5.... Read more»
Game ball to Mike Ortega. Finally given rein to push a deal, he figured out how to settle the Sun Tran strike so both sides walked away feeling like they won something. And he did it without much long-term cost to the city. ... Read more»2
The settlement that ended the Sun Tran strike will mean raises of 30 cents to $5 hourly for drivers and mechanics, union reps said. The private management firm and the Teamsters had earlier declined to reveal details of the $4.3M deal, which the city manager said will eventually cost an extra $1.4M yearly.... Read more»3
Only in Tucson does the longest, most disruptive strike in modern municipal history end in a secret deal, punctuated by a big question mark. Good news: The Sun Tran strike is over and 60,000 people are able to get around town. Bad news: Taxpayers and bus riders have no idea what the deal will cost them — and neither does the city.... Read more»
With a 351-41 vote, Tucson bus drivers approved a new deal worked out overnight, and will be back behind the wheel on Thursday morning. It took even more than 40 days and 40 nights, but the union reached a two-year deal with the private company the manages Sun Tran.... Read more»2
So how badly bloated is Sun Tran's budget with hard-earned tax dollars to give people (aka unfortunately necessary collateral damage) a lift? I'm about to give you, dear readers, news involving Sun Tran: Hard figures that tell a story that may shock and amaze you involving which riders are really subsidized by taxpayers.... Read more»7
From the start, the city has thrown in with management by not throwing a few more bucks into the kitty. Standing with Sun Tran's strategy means standing with their tactics. Now, that means "scab" labor, which has union leaders calling this a "pivotal point."... Read more»3
Sun Tran refusing to negotiate has to stop. Sure, be tough. But we have an issue with management twiddling their thumbs in an air-conditioned office, while people are stranded without a bus service they need because in this low-wage town, not everyone can afford cars. There are ways to make them talk that no one is talking about.... Read more»2
It's easy to get myopic about bus drivers asking for better wages than paid to many in Tucson, but who is behind the strike and just who Sun Tran is are all part of a bigger picture. Here's a look at the players behind the bottleneck, and how Tucson's buses ultimately are run by the French government.... Read more»
After rejecting a "final offer" by Sun Tran management, Tucson's bus drivers went on strike Wednesday night, as last-minute talks failed. Management will drive a limited number of buses on only a few routes Thursday, and union reps said they were filing unfair labor practices charges.... Read more»1
After rejecting a "final offer" by Sun Tran management Saturday, Tucson's bus drivers are set to go on strike Wednesday night, unless last-minute talks pan out. Management warned riders to be ready for disruptions in service.... Read more»1
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