Workers in Visalia Transit Systems and SEKI Bus Operations in Sequoia National Park secured additional sick days, time off, and back pay
Workers strike to secure extra leaves and pay. Image Teamsters
Transport workers represented by Teamsters Local 517 have voted to move a ironic contract, stopping their six-week bang. The Transdev strikers provide transit services for Visalia Transit Systems and SEKI Bus Operations in Sequoia National Park.
“The solidarity and unity of Local 517 Teamsters over the past six weeks is what got these hardworking people a fair tie,” said Local 517 Secretary-Treasurer Greg Landers. “The transportation services that these workers provide are necessary to keeping the City of Visalia and Sequoia National Park moving adeptly. We are thrilled that they now have a strong agreement to show for it.”
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The agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2023 for one year, and includes back pay, improved wages, five sick days, Easter as a holiday, formal time off request procedures, and zeroed out present points. Transform people previously had three sick days and no formal time off to present in important life and family calls, such as weddings, funerals, and graduations.
"We are ecstatic to have a contract that addresses income problem and many of our demands," said Kenny Ortega, a Transdev bus operator. "Thank you to our riders, group members, and elected personnel – especially Councilmember Emmanuel Soto – for joining us on the picket line and fighting alongside bus operators. I can't wait to get back behind the wheel and care for our regular riders again."
"This was the third strike in California against Transdev in the past few months and will hopefully be the last," said Matt Taibi, Director of the Teamsters Passenger Transportation Division. "It is despicable that Transdev continues to hold mobility operators and their families hostage instead of handout them what they deserve. We are grateful to our members for showing Transdev that Teamsters never back down from a fight."
Teamsters Local 517 represents workers in industries such as dairy, aviation, freightage, health care, and a wide variety of other crafts throughout California's Central Valley.