Strike Continues as Prince George's Bus Company Refuses to Bargain Fairly

Over 60 Commuter and Local Bus Routes Affected

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Members of Teamsters Local 639 working for Veolia/TheBus voted down the company's contract proposal yesterday by an overwhelming majority. The company's Aug. 18 proposal was an unchanged, substandard proposal and the negative vote means the strike affecting more than 60 commuter and local bus routes in Prince George's County, Md., will continue. Negotiations remain at standstill.

According to Veolia/TheBus drivers, the main issues are health care, decent wages and job security.

"Veolia forces us to work long hours with no lunch break, the wages are very low and there is no job security," said driver Sherita Williams.

"Our members need good health care, wages and job security," said Tommy Ratliff, President of Local 639, which represents the drivers. "We will remain on strike until this company agrees to bargain a fair contract."

"The company doesn't want to be fair. Drivers don't even have five minutes to use the bathroom. It's like working on a slave plantation," said driver Anthony Scott

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service has been called in for assistance, and the next mediation session is scheduled for Sept. 29.

Local 639 represents more than 8,000 workers in the Washington Metro area, a large number who reside in Maryland. Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

SOURCE Teamsters Local Union 639