Phoenix bus drivers give up strike

Phoenix bus drivers give up strike (Alberta Times) The union representing more than 600 Phoenix bus drivers said Sunday that they will not strike even if their employer threatens...

Phoenix bus drivers give up strike (Alberta Times) The union representing more than 600 Phoenix bus drivers said Sunday they will not strike even if the "final and best" contract employer Veolia Transport Services plans to submit on Monday is not what the union requested. The union has filed a complaint against Veolia through the federal National Labor Relations Board and hopes to improve relations with the employer through the complaint, said Michael Cornelius, the union's local operations manager. Veolia signed a $388 million contract with the City of Phoenix to operate 30 bus routes. Most of the routes provided by the company include travel to and from Phoenix and Tempe, and extend to surrounding cities, including Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Avatar and Glendale, so the strike may cause transportation inconveniences in the above areas. Veolia and the union have been negotiating over wages and benefits for more than a year, and still have not reached a mutually satisfactory contract.