LAKE COUNTY — Employees of Paratransit Services, Lake Transit Authority (LTA)”s operations and maintenance contractor, are planning a three-day strike in early December in a dispute for wage increases.
The employees, covered under a collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local No. 665, intend to strike from Dec. 3 to 5, returning to work on Dec. 6.
In the event of a strike, Paratransit Services will maintain LTA routes and dial-a-ride service in the Clearlake and Lower Lake area, according to LTA General Manager Mark Wall.
The next area where service would be restored would be for dial-a-ride customers in the Lakeport area, and then for other bus routes based on operating staff and ridership demand, according to Wall.
Christie Scheffer, chief operating officer for Paratransit Services, stated in an email that the strike is illegal because the employee union notified federal mediators Tuesday and not 30 days prior to the proposed action.
Scheffer stated the company will file an Unfair Labor Practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board if employees strike.
Wall stated LTA advised Paratransit it is neutral regarding the dispute and that LTA should recover quickly in the event of a strike.
