LOWER LAKE — Teamsters and Paratransit Services management met Tuesday for negotiations centered around the reinstatement of employees who were previously on strike.
Negotiations last week led to the reinstatement of three employees, two drivers and one dispatcher, but many more continue to wait for reinstatement.
Tuesday”s negotiations between the two sides and a federal mediator did not end in an agreement, Paratransit Services Director of Operations and Human Resources Randy grove stated in a press release Tuesday. Paratransit Services did not agree to enter binding arbitration, a negotiation method Teamsters Local Union No. 665 leaders sought.
Binding arbitration is a process in which a neutral arbitrator gathers statements and evidence from both sides of the argument and rules on the matter. The binding part of the deal prevents either side from appealing the outcome once a decision is made.
The two sides also failed to agree on the order in which employees would be assigned shifts if a reinstatement of all employees were to take place, Teamsters Secretary Treasurer Mark Gleason said. Teamsters want work to be assigned based on seniority, which would put newly hired replacement workers at the end of the list, something Paratransit Services Management did not agree to do.
No reinstatements were announced as a result of Tuesday”s negotiations. Three employees have been called back to work after striking employees voted unanimously to return to work nearly two weeks ago on Aug. 15.
Negotiations are scheduled to continue Sept. 5, with healthcare terms set to be the center focus of discussions, and sole item on the agenda. Both sides previously stated they would be willing to expand negotiations to other topics.
The strike began on July 29, after the Paratransit Services Management and Teamsters were unable to reach a deal for a new three year contract during negotiations on July 15. Paratransit Services employees picketed outside of Lake Transit Authority offices for nearly three weeks before voting to return to work.
During the strike, transit services were reduced throughout the county. Transit services have been reportedly running at 88-percent since Thursday, with the exception of weekends, as Paratransit Services management had previously announced.
Teamsters claim that if a deal is reached, services could be running at 100-percent soon after.
Isaac Brambila is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636 ext. 37 or at ibrambila@record-bee.com.
