HAT TRICK: Third Bus Strike in Four Months Ends
with a little help from the top
Contract details and correction of mis-information
Teamsters members approve 3-year agreement with French management contractor
Trending downward even before strikes, driver ranks now down by 50%, no return to full service soon

December 2, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
GARY WATSON, President
Teamsters Union Local 533
(775) 348-6060 ext. 104
Links, recent archives & 3+ decades of Teamsters/RTC history at NevadaLabor.com

RENO, NEV. (LATE P.M. 2 DEC. 2021) — Teamsters Union Local 533 late Thursday corrected erroneous information and added details regarding the contract approved today by Reno-Sparks-Washoe transit workers.

New mom/driver Athena Duffy with Teamsters Local 533 Business Agent Ross Kinson at the 5-21-21 RTC meeting

A return to full service will not be accomplished just because the third strike has ended.

"For-profit contractor Keolis Transit is not down just 50 drivers from its contractually required 176. They are actually down 86 drivers and perhaps more right now. The 50 number circulated to media today is stale data at best," stated Teamsters Union Local 533 President Gary Watson.

The Internet is overloaded with ads for qualified drivers all over the nation. Proper safety provides a hiring edge but has often been ignored in Keolis operations here and elsewhere. The company fired a young African-American woman in Los Angeles for asking a passenger to wear a mask. She had a depressed immune system and was in recovery from cancer.

"From pressuring public officials to prioritize public transit drivers in the vaccine rollout to securing a more attractive employment package that will better train and retain drivers, dispatchers, mechanics and road supervisors, this fight has always been about protecting and providing better service to the community," Northern Nevada Central Labor Council President Mike Pilcher stated when news of the agreement broke.

"In addition to pay raises over the next three years totaling 14.2 percent, we won hourly pension increases across the board," Watson said. Keolis' "last-best-final" wage offer which led to the most recent strike was four percent per year, well below the rate of inflation.

The hourly retirement contribution rate under the contract which expired on June 30, 2021, has been $2.35. That increases to $2.50 immediately, then rises to $2.60 in 2022 and $3.10 in 2023. This stands well above the company's "last-best-final" offer (respectively 10 cents/zero/15 cents) in the rejected contract which caused Strike 3.

"We accepted a $1,000 per person signing bonus which was about 30 percent more than retroactive pay back to July 1," Watson said.

COVID-19 safety remains a burning issue. More than two dozen drivers and support workers (and probably more; Keolis witholds information) and countless passengers were infected by intentionally lax protection. Two local drivers were admitted to intensive care units.

"We still have all of our safety language and federal/state mandate language in the new contract, mandates which Keolis has consistenly ignored - including writing up drivers for disciplinary action should they ask maskless passengers to comply," Watson said.

"They listen to self-serving lawyers rather than passenger complaints," he added.

Earlier this week, President Biden issued a nationwide mask mandate for all transit operations.

"We are awaiting an arbitration decision on our mask case any day now," Watson said.

"Everything is resolved except more than 50 labor charges and 45 arbitrations," he noted.

"Turning the transit system into a superspreader could have been largely avoided had not Regional Transportation System of Washoe County Executive Director Bill Thomas secretly and unilaterally waived all cash performance penalties starting in March of last year. Keolis could thus operate with impunity and they continue to do so," Watson said.

"Subcontracting of critically needed public services needs serious review," the longtime labor leader added. "The current pass-the-buck system is good for only one thing: nothing is ever anyone's fault or responsibility," Watson said.

"There is no reason that we should have had to involve the top of the federal government, our international union and the France-based for-profit contractor. Our sister Bay Area union even handbilled the French consulate in San Francisco last August. This dispute is unique among Nevada taxpayer-funded entities," he asserted, adding "the only harbinger of disharmony is Keolis."

Debbie Calkins Secretary-Treasurer & Principal Officer She is the first woman to head the union.

On Tuesday, Teamsters Local 533 members employed by Keolis Transit voted to ratify the new agreement after three unfair labor practice strikes and 60 days on picket lines beginning with the Hot August Strike, wending through Striketober and into December.

"This new deal will eliminate the need for further 'repetitive and harmful strikes' caused by Keolis. From day one, this has always been about the safety of our members and riders and improving working conditions in our profession," Watson stated.

"Our members stood strong, fought together with dignity and earned the community's respect in our struggle to retain important contract language and request economic improvements. The membership reviewed and ratified the three-year agreement by majority," Watson added.

"We appreciate United States Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and Teamsters General President-Elect Sean O'Brien for their assistance in bringing a peaceful end to this labor dispute," added Teamsters Local 533 Secretary-Treasurer Debbie Calkins.

"Our public transit workers, who fought to protect and support this community throughout the worst of the pandemic, are deeply grateful to the community for their patience, understanding, compassion and overwhelming support. Progress would not have happened without them. Most of all, we thank our members for holding strong," she noted.

"We still have many unresolved disputes but remain hopeful that we can reach a resolution," said shop steward and longtime transit system technician Eric Martelle.

"While this strike created unrest within Reno, Sparks and Washoe County as a result of failed leadership by local politicians, our membership is energized and ready to get boots on the ground in our next election cycle and vote for candidates that will never forget about us, the essential workers and our transit passengers," Martelle stated.

Chartered in 1934, Teamsters Local 533 represents about 2,300 workers in various trades throughout northern Nevada and eastern California, including about 200 RTC/Keolis drivers, dispatchers, mechanics and road supervisors.

For more information, go to Teamsters533.org/

CWA 9413/AFL-CIO
Y12/2 correxions3/strike3/keolis/ibt/unews/opsn21

-30-

Thursday, 02 Dec 2021 14:17:32 (PST) / 20:17:32 GMT
From: GARY WATSON, President
Subject: Congratulations — Contract Ratified

Brothers and Sisters:

Congratulations on all your hard work and efforts. You have a new collective bargaining agreement! Job well done.

You may pull down the picket signs, return them to the Union Hall and return to work on Friday, December 3, 2021, if you desire. Saturday, December 4, 2021, is a full return to work day. If your current bid has Saturday work, you will need to report for your bid.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact me or any of the bargaining committee members.

In Solidarity,

Gary Watson, President
Teamsters Local 533
(775) 348-6060 ext. 104

TEAMSTERS 533 MEMBERSHIP APPROVES 3-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH KEOLIS

(RENO, Nev., 2 Dec. 2021) — Members of Teamsters Local 533 employed by Keolis Transit, the contractor for the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC Washoe), have voted and ratified a new agreement today, after three unfair labor practice strikes and 60 days on the picket line.

“This new deal will eliminate the need for further “repetitive and harmful strikes” caused by Keolis. From day one, this has always been about the safety of our members and riders and improving working conditions in our profession. Our members stood strong, fought together with dignity and earned the community’s respect in our struggle to retain important contract language and request economic improvements. The membership reviewed and ratified the 3-year agreement by majority,” said Teamsters Local 533 President Gary Watson.

“We appreciate the United States Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and Teamsters General President-Elect Sean O’Brien for their assistance in bringing a peaceful end to this labor dispute,” stated Teamsters Local 533 Secretary-Treasurer Debbie Calkins.

“Our public transit workers, who fought to protect and support this community throughout the worst of the pandemic, are deeply grateful to the community for their patience, understanding, compassion and overwhelming support. Progress would not have happened without them. Most of all, we thank the members for holding strong,” she added.

“We still have many unresolved disputes but remain hopeful that we can reach a resolution. While this strike created unrest within Reno, Sparks and Washoe County as a result of failed leadership by local politicians, our membership is energized and ready to get boots on the ground in our next election cycle, to vote for candidates that will never forget about us, the essential workers and our transit passengers,” said Shop Steward Eric Martelle.

###

Chartered in 1934, Teamsters Local 533 represents about 2,300 workers in various trades throughout northern Nevada and eastern California, including about 200 RTC/Keolis employees.

For more information, go to Teamsters533.org/.

NEWS FROM
Teamsters Local 533
1190 Selmi Drive, Suite 100
Reno, Nevada 89512

TEAMSTERS AND KEOLIS REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

November 30, 2021 (St. Andrew's Day)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
GARY WATSON, President
Teamsters Union Local 533
(775) 348-6060 ext. 104
Links, recent archives & 3+ decades of Teamsters/RTC history at NevadaLabor.com

Gary Watson, President Teamsters Union Local 533

(RENO, Nev. 11-30-2021) — Members of Teamsters Local 533 employed by Keolis Transit, the contractor for the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC Washoe), reached a tentative agreement this morning.

It came after numerous stalemates and three unfair (illegal) labor practice strikes during the collective bargaining process throughout the summer and fall of 2021.

The agreement will be submitted for ratification by the represented employees on Dec. 2. If approved, the workers will return and transit operations will resume immediately.

United States Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President-elect Sean O’Brien (President of
IBT Local 25 Boston, Mass.) were instrumental in resolution of this dispute with Keolis CEO David Scorey. Secretary Walsh is Boston's former mayor.

While many issues still exist, between the corporation and the employees, such as numerous unresolved (illegal) unfair labor practices and arbitrations, the union is hopeful that Keolis will cooperate to resolve outstanding disputes in coming months to help secure a better working relationship with its essential workforce in Reno-Sparks-Washoe County.

The public transit workers, who fought to protect and support the community throughout the worst of the pandemic have expressed deep gratitude to the community for its patience, understanding, compassion and overwhelming solidarity. Progress would not have been made without that immovable base.

Chartered in 1934, Teamsters Local 533 represents about 2,300 workers in various trades throughout northern Nevada and eastern California, including about 200 RTC/Keolis employees. For more information, go to Teamsters533.org/.

NEWS FROM
Teamsters Local 533
1190 Selmi Drive, Suite 100
Reno, Nevada 89512

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The United Labor Agency of Nevada has helped arrange a strike fund. Please send checks to United Labor Agency of Nevada, 1201 N. Decatur Blvd. Suite 106, Las Vegas, NV 89108; Attn: Teamsters Keolis Strike. OR...

HELP THE STRIKERS. PLEASE DONATE TO THE STRIKE FUND Online

November 30, 2021

NNCLC Applauds Tentative Agreement between Teamsters 533 and Keolis Transit

(RENO, Nev.) — Today, after more than 56 days on strike without pay, members of Teamsters Local 533 have reached a tentative agreement with Keolis Transit and will vote on the offer this Thursday, December 2.

“From day one, when the first grievance was filed, this was about protecting the community. When the first driver was disciplined for asking a rider to wear a mask, you could see the beginning of concern in our Teamsters and community for stopping the spread,” said Northern Nevada Central Labor Council President Mike Pilcher.

Over the past months, Teamsters Local 533 and our labor community have fought to protect their workers and our community. From pressuring public officials to prioritize public transit drivers in the vaccine rollout to securing a more attractive employment package that will better train and retain drivers, dispatchers, mechanics, and supervisors, this fight has always been about protecting and providing better service to the community.

"Once again, after months of negotiations and standing strong on the picket line, our brave brothers and sisters are on the precipice of an agreement with Keolis North America that will protect both their livelihoods and their lives in the workplace. Now, it is time to stay vigilant and ensure that Keolis upholds this agreement to treat its workers fairly and with respect,” said Susie Martinez, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Nevada State AFL-CIO. 

“This may be a step forward for the essential workers who have kept northern Nevada moving, but we are ready to hold Keolis accountable if they stray from the path again. We stand firmly behind our brothers and sisters of Teamsters 533, and the entire weight of the labor movement will be thrown behind them if their hard-fought contract is ever in jeopardy."

More than 600 community members signed a petition standing in support of our striking transit workers. Our community answered the threat of organized greed by joining together with organized labor. “I can’t thank the community enough. They saw this through the lens of the workers and realized it was more than an argument over 80 cents an hour versus $1.20 an hour,” said Pilcher.

 “We are deeply grateful for their support.”

The three-year collective bargaining agreement includes a number of retained benefits, including favorable pension contributions and wage increases of 5.5%, 4.7%, and 4.0% over the next three years, which brings them closer to alignment with other CDL (commercial drivers license) drivers across the region.

The Northern Nevada Central Labor Council is one of nearly 500 state and local labor councils of the AFL-CIO, the heart of the labor movement in the greater Reno Sparks Carson Tahoe region, and across northern Nevada.

The Northern Nevada Central Labor Council is a democratically elected body dedicated to representing the interests of working people at the state and local level. We mobilize our members and community partners to advocate for social and economic justice and we strive daily to vanquish oppression and make our communities better for all people — regardless of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, or ethnic or national origin.

Northern Nevada Central Labor Council
info@nnclc.org
1819 Hymer Ave, Sparks NV 89431
775-331-5570 / 775-247-4390

We support, promote and advocate for northern Nevada's men and women in organized labor.

OUR PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED Perhaps St. Andrew intervened (The contract agreement was announced on St. Andrew's Day.)   Sat, 27 Nov 2021 16:14:28 -0800 To: deus@nevadalabor.com From: Andrew Barbano <barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us> Subject: Seeking the Almighty's aid 11-27-2021 Dear Nevada Organizations of Faith: Like you, my 53 years in Nevada have made me a witness to the inequities foisted upon the least among us because we have never fully conquered our heritage as a company town. We just added a few companies. As have you, I have worked to lessen the impacts of that unfairness and have written and spoken thousands of words. However, no words compare with the photo accompanying this memo. Her name is Jo. She gave her permission for Reno bus driver Mike Humes to photograph her and the sign she made with her own hands which sits atop all of her worldly possessions. Mr. Humes tells Jo's story: THE LEAST AMONG US SUPPORTING THE OPPRESSED —  "Her name is Jo. She lives at the Reno women's shelter and takes the bus to Record Street to eat. She has a heart condition that makes her legs swell so it is hard for her to walk. She is articulate and easy to talk to. She told me she takes the bus to go to her doctor. With the buses not running, she didn't know how she would get there. "I was walking the picket line and I saw her across 4th street. I ran across the street, told her I loved her sign and could I take a picture of it. I felt bad that at the time I only had a couple dollars on me but I gave her what I had and thanked her. "A few days later I ran into her again and that's when I was able to talk to her for some time. Working with the public for almost 28 years, you tend to get a feel for people. She seemed intelligent but (something) may have derailed her. She brought me to tears when she talked about needing a heart transplant but would rather it go to someone younger so that they could have a chance at a better life. Sadly, I have not seen her since then. "I have served this community for almost 28 years and my heart bleeds for my passengers. I think that the current Regional Transportation Commission board has no compassion for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and people on fixed incomes. In previous years this would have never gotten this far, they would have forced Keolis to the table and told them to get a contract." (Photo and caption by Teamsters Union Local 533 bus operator Mike Humes) The Washoe County mass transit system serves the least among us: casino and low-wage employees, the very young, the very old, the poor and homeless, the sick, the mentally and physically disabled — the powerless and the disfavored. RTCride is in the middle of its third strike in four months. (The only previous work stoppage happened in 2002.) Since they took over, foreign-owned, for-profit contractor Keolis Transit caused the system to lose much of its ridership even before the first strike last August. They had lost about half their required drivers even before the current impasse. Understandable. Would you want to work for a company where you run a high risk of hospitalization just for showing up? Keolis has fired drivers for trying to enforce mask mandates and continues to do so. Countless passengers and dozens of Sparks-Reno drivers have been sickened by COVID-19, some in ICU. What caused the Hot August Strike? Keolis-19 wanted to take away very beneficial Teamsters healthcare coverage and replace it with expensive company-controlled Band-Aids. The current Strike 3? A 4 percent annual "pay increase" well below the rate of inflation, in effect, a three-year wage cut. Last-best-final offer. I would not be writing to you save for the fact that all levels of government have failed to act. The system is set up so that everyone can play Pontius Pilatus. If Reno-Sparks-Washoe (including Incline Village and a bit of Carson City) want to have a mass transit system in the future, someone more powerful than mere workers must step forward. Right now, it's in God's hands and that's where you come in. Please consider the situation and then send me a letter of support for the strikers and passengers like Jo. Inform your congregations. Contact the five commissioners. You will find contact info, 30+ years of history and a strike fund donation portal at NevadaLabor.com/ Your help, your prayers/emanations/projections/vibrations/meditations and your actions are critically needed as winter approaches. My latest Sparks Tribune column is directed at you: Happy Thanksgibleting: Grueling gruel from the cruel Apparently, only God herself can come to the aid of local bus passengers and workers. I am thus sending this column to every religious organization in the area.... ============ Please feel free to contact me with any questions and let me know how I may be of further service. All are welcome to picket with the workers any day of the week at the downtown Reno E. 4th Street casino district bus station (where four were hit with BB shot in a driveby a few days ago). Thank you for your consideration and your service. Ora pro nobis, Andrew Barbano CesarChavezNevada.com MississippiWestNV.org NevadaLabor.com Rentvolution.org Barbwire.US CWA 9413/AFL-CIO Y11/27 ManusDei/Joise191/Barbwire/opsn21