Strike looms at Sun Tran

Members of the union representing San Tran's (Tucson, Ariz.) drivers and other workers voted against a new contract with the city on Sunday, reported the Arizona Daily Star. That means union leaders can call for a strike of the transit system as early as this Saturday. In the Sunday vote, union members rejected the $3.6 million, three-year contract offered by the city. Negotiations will remain open until an extension agreed upon in July expires on midnight this Friday. The contract was voted against mainly because it offered an inadequate hourly pay raise of 8 cents during the first year, though second and third year increases would be 54 and 52 cents, respectively. Current pay for drivers at Sun Tran ranges from $10.07 to $14.19 an hour and, for mechanics, from $12.84 to $17.22. Contract negotiations became an issue in July when union employees were told the new contract would increase monthly health care premiums from $18 to $199, with jumps of 25% the two following years. The Teamsters Local 104 represents 413 of Sun Tran's 505 drivers, mechanics and service island attendants.