Bus Drivers On Strike In Fort Worth

Over 300 Fort Worth bus drivers, members of Teamsters local 997, went on strike monday. The T, the local name for the bus service, is still operating all routes, but the waiting time for a bus is up to an hour or more in some areas. Drivers are picketing outside headquarters for the T on Lancaster Avenue.

The T is run by McDonald Transit Associates. Sunday, their contract offer was rejected by the union. However, this time the issue is not salary or insurance. The company offers on these items are considered adequate by most driver's.

The driver's are striking for better sick leave and fairer disciplinary policies, including an independent committee to handle discipline. The company says the last contract it offered was fair.

When the drivers went on strike Monday, the company put up a large "drivers wanted" sign and began to interview prospective new employees. They said they had hired three "scab" drivers on Monday. The company said after the strike is over, any drivers replaced would be put on a "hire first" list as required by federal law.

With the union digging in its heels and the company hiring new drivers, it looks like this strike might last for a while. On Monday, many truckers and others passing by the T's headquarters, honked and waved in solidarity with the striking drivers.