99% of Union members at Fairfax Connector participating in an authorization vote this past Friday, December 29th, voted to strike if necessary should contract talks with Transdev break down. Local 689 members overwhelmingly have become more and more frustrated and disgusted with the company’s two-faced bargaining style and disingenuous distortion of facts.

“For the past three months, Transdev has proven time and time again that they are more interested in hoarding their money than making necessary investments to improve their dedicated and hardworking employees’ wellbeing. Our members are fed up with Transdev’s flat out refusal to fully engage in meaningful bargaining over key economic issues and attempts to distort facts,” said Local 689 President Raymond Jackson.

During the negotiations, Transdev has disregarded the top economic concerns of its employees including improved dental care and sick leave, retirement security, and more stable working hours. Although the company finally presented a decent wage increase proposal, Transdev attempted to hold the Union hostage and force Local 689 to abandon all other proposals. Furthermore, Transdev claims to have agreed to many of the Union’s proposals but many of those have been either technical corrections or the bare minimum necessary changes to keep somewhat competitive with other transit entities in the region. A vast divide between the two sides still remains.

Local 689 is scheduled to sit down at the bargaining table with Transdev January 19, 2024