Transdev Not Ready to Bargain Fairly and Cuts Healthcare to Coerce Workers

(Forestville, Maryland) February 29, 2024 - Despite willingness of ATU Local 689 to make a deal, contract talks today between ATU Local 689 and Transdev yielded no results and the session ended without a new contract for Fairfax Connector workers. This was the second time that the two sides met since workers began their strike last Thursday, February 22nd, over unfair labor practices committed by Transdev during the negotiations. Today’s session was scheduled by a federal mediator who, per request from Fairfax County officials, asked the two sides to meet today. The Union came to the table ready for serious discussions. The company did not. Instead, shortly before negotiations began, Transdev informed the Union that it was cutting off healthcare benefits for striking workers, further proving that Transdev is willing, ready, and eager to put profits over people.

Prior to the strike, the Union provided a contract proposal to Transdev in response to the company’s contract offer made in late January. Since then, Transdev has failed to put pen to paper and provide the Union with a formal proposal. Instead, they have verbally exchanged proposals to increase wages and improve retirement benefits but only if the workers agree to give up benefits they currently receive and which are industry standard.

As the Union stated on the first morning of the strike, had Transdev put the same economic proposals on the table as are already in place at Alexandria’s DASH, the work stoppage would have been over that afternoon in time for evening commutes back to Fairfax.

Additionally, Transdev informed the Union and workers on strike earlier today that they intend to cut off healthcare benefits effective tomorrow, March 1st. Although Transdev was too lazy to change their document’s title, showing that the memo had been drafted on February 27th, The Union understands this decision was delayed to maximize company leverage and strongarm striking workers. This heinous decision is utterly disgraceful and puts on full display the lack of value Transdev places on these frontline heroes. Moreover, Transdev is once again demonstrating that they do not share the same values as Fairfax County residents.

Local 689 intends to meet with Transdev on March 5th to continue negotiations, as previously scheduled.