Members of Teamsters Local 533 today approved a collective bargaining agreement with Keolis North America. The approval means the bus workers’ third strike this year is officially over.
“This new deal will eliminate the need for further ‘repetitive and harmful strikes’ caused by Keolis,” Teamsters officials said in a statement to the news media. “From day one, this has always been about the safety of our members and riders and improving working conditions in our profession.”
Mike Ake with Keolis on Monday said transit services will resume immediately upon union approval of the collective bargaining agreement.
The agreement is for three years. No additional details on the agreement were released.
“We still have many unresolved disputes but are hopeful to come to a resolution. While this strike has created unrest within Reno, Sparks and Washoe County from failed leadership of 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 Teamsters member Eric Martelle.
Washoe County Regional Transportation Commission officials said they do not expect future strikes. Operations will begin resuming back to normal.
“Regular transit fares will resume on Monday, December 6, 2021. RTC RIDE has remained free since the end of the second transit strike on October 19, 2021. If any passengers did purchase a pass during that free-ride time period, that pass will begin working when it is first swiped at the farebox,” RTC officials said.
The unprecedented strikes have caused major disruptions for those who depend on public transportation. Both sides of the issue blamed one another for the strikes.
This story was updated to include new information from RTC.
