The Phoenix New Times is reporting that Phoenix bus riders have been spared a possible bus strike come Monday…
The Teamsters Local Union No. 104, which represents the employees who fuel and clean the buses, extended its contract until August 15.
The other two unions that represent Veolia Transportation employees had already agreed to extend talks. The bus mechanics union (International Union of Operating Engineers Local 428) agreed yesterday to extend its contract to August 15, and the bus operators union, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1433, has extended its contract until Sept. 30.
“It’s a good sign that they’re still talking,” said Debra Stark, executive assistant to the City Manager, who oversees the city’s Public Transit Department.
ALERT! Potential transit strike could affect downtown Phoenix
[from the City of Phoenix website]
Veolia Transportation Services Transit Labor Union Strike
The City of Phoenix Public Transit Department provides local bus, RAPID, Express, Neighborhood Circulator, and Dial-A-Ride service to the public. Each of these services is provided by the city through contracts with private companies, which are responsible for hiring employees, scheduling and staffing routes, and negotiating employee benefits and compensation as part of their agreements.
Currently one of the city’s contractors for local bus and circulator service, Veolia Transportation Services, is in negotiations with three unions representing its employees. Contracts with each union ended in June, and negotiations are ongoing. It is possible that if negotiations should reach an impasse, transit service in Phoenix could be disrupted as early as July 25.
In light of that possibility, Phoenix Public Transit is recommending passengers begin researching alternate transportation plans to get to work, or other regular destinations of travel. Below are additional resources about possible service interruptions, and alternate methods of transportation.
Negotiations Update:
No update at this time.
Press Release on Possible Transit Strike
This press release provides information the possible strike, as well as travel alternatives for passengers.
Background Information
Background information about Phoenix Public Transit services and contractors.
Phoenix Public Transit and Its Contractors
An organizational chart that shows the relationship between The CIty of Phoenix and its transit contractors.
Media Contacts
News outlets with questions about ongoing labor negotiations or affected transit service can call these contacts.
Passenger Information
Use the Trip Planner on ValleyMetro.org for bus and METRO schedules.
Go to ValleyMetro.org to check the schedules of non-affected bus routes and for the METRO schedule – passengers may be able to use an alternative route. Also check a map of unaffected bus routes below.
You can also call Valley Metro Customer Service at 602-253-5000, TTY 602-261-8208.
Carpools or vanpools
Register at Share the Ride for a carpool or vanpool match list or call (602) 262-RIDE (7433). If you want to meet your carpool partners at a neutral site, check out the list of Phoenix owned and operated sites.
Taxis, limos, and shuttles Sky Harbor, operated by the Phoenix Aviation Department, has a list of transportation companies on their website.
Route Information:
Downtown Voices Coalition 
