The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) bus strike officially ended yesterday after just three days of service disruption. The Transport Workers Union Local 208 gathered yesterday morning to revote on the same contract that was rejected Monday night, causing Tuesday’s continued disruption that impacted Red White & Boom. Yesterday’s revote approved the contract the second time around, 353 to 158 votes.
“Our Board of Trustees met at 5 p.m. yesterday to act on a resolution to approve the contract,” said Marty Stutz, Vice President of Communications, Marketing and Customer Service at COTA.
The new contract provides wage increases, increases to the employee retirement contribution, an optional wellness plan to offset health insurance premiums and new work rules that allow more work assignment flexibility for COTA bus drivers, mechanics and maintenance employees.
“We are pleased that the Union elected to reconsider and reverse their earlier decision,” said COTA President & CEOÂ Curtis Stitt. “This contract is fair and equitable to our employees and meets our obligation to manage the agency in the best interests of our customers and taxpayers.”
All fixed route service resumes today with standard schedules and service.
“We regret the inconvenience the Union’s strike has had on our customers and the community,” said Stitt. “Beginning immediately, we are putting this episode behind us and focusing our energies and efforts to re-establishing the confidence and trust of our stakeholders.”
Additional ongoing discussion about the strike can be found HERE.