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Dozens of MARTA drivers call out for second day in a row

By Dave Huddleston, WSB-TV
By Dave Huddleston, WSB-TV

ATLANTA — Officials with MARTA said the transit agency is planning to file an injunction against its own bus drivers and union leaders.

On Monday, 80 workers called out sick. Another 73 called out on Tuesday. The agency told Channel 2's Dave Huddleston that they normally have about 20 drivers call out on an average day.

Union leaders told Huddleston they have nothing to do with the sick out, and don't understand why they are named in an injunction that MARTA said they are thinking about filing.

MARTA is trying to stop the work slowdown during the Super Bowl is taking immediate action and filing that petition Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile more MARTA bus riders were stuck at bus stops for another morning.

"I don't know why that bus did not come this morning," rider Garrett Stephens said. "I’ve been late for appointments, missed appointments because of MARTA."

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Huddleston found 35 reported bus delays Tuesday morning. On Monday, MARTA CEO Jeff Parker told Huddleston he wanted to work with union leaders to end the sick out.

"I have spoken to several of the union leadership and they have assured me they are working to try and get folks back to work," Parker said.

But now there’s a harder stance with that possible court injunction forcing drivers back to work.

MARTA sources told Huddleston that the work slowdown is because operators are not happy with the tentative agreement union leaders negotiated Saturday. It gives drivers a 3 percent raise each year for three years, but operators will have to pay more for health benefits.

Union leaders say currently bus drivers pay tops out at $22 an hour. Operators have not signed off on the contract so there could be another slowdown Wednesday morning, leaving riders like Theresa McClendon, once again waiting for the bus.

"I don't get it. I really don’t understand why it's happening lately,” McClendon said.

Cox Media Group

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