RTD's proposed pay freeze blasted

Union, agency say talks are progressing, occurring daily

Kevin Flynn, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 22, 2006 at midnight

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Bus drivers, mechanics and light rail operators who make the transit system run smoothly are as deserving of a raise as RTD execs who got pay hikes as high as 47 percent, a coalition of labor and community groups says.

Decrying the three-year wage freeze endured by union drivers and mechanics and the initial offer from the Regional Transportation District that asked it to continue for another three years, Jobs With Justice rallied outside the transit agency's headquarters Tuesday.

RTD's contract with about 1,740 members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001 will expire Tuesday, but neither side is expecting a strike at this point. Representatives of the agency and the union said negotiations, which are daily at this point, are still going smoothly.

"We've made progress on several things, but we still haven't reached the biggest items yet to be discussed," said Scott Reed, RTD spokesman, referring to the wage and benefits package.

Several dozen people, including members of other unions, community activists and RTD riders and retired drivers, circled the plaza in front of RTD headquarters on Blake Street on Tuesday just before the monthly meeting of the RTD board.

Signs said such things as "Drivers Yes, Fat Cats No," "The Bus Stops Here" and "RTD workers deserve a fair contract."

Frank Trujillo, a retired bus driver and 53-year member of Local 1001, said what many felt after watching RTD managers get huge raises and the board increase local fares to $1.50 last month.

"It's not fair that this company says it can give managers a 47 percent increase and raise fares, but its drivers have to take a wage freeze," he said.

Many then went into the meeting to show support for the workers.

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