Fairfax Connector strike reaches nearly two weeks
FAIRFAX, Va. (DC News Now) — Negotiators met for the fourth time Tuesday, as the 13th day of the strike with Transdev continued which shutdown the Fairfax Connector.
“We are doing great work here,” said Troy Barnes, organizer for ATU 689, which represents the striking employees.
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They have worked without a contract since the last deal expired last year. The workers seek various benefits including higher pay and more sick days. but they also want something else.
“All I’m worry about now is my retirement,” said Oionald Jeune, a bus driver for just eight months. “I think that’s what we’re fighting for right now.”
Striking workers receive weekly compensation from a fund set up by the union. What they don’t have is company-provided health insurance. They lost it on March 1.
“We got people that’s in the hospital that got sick and and one guy just came up to me a minute ago and said that he wanted to go over to Kaiser [Permanente Fair Oaks Medical Center],” Barnes said. “And Kaiser said, your health insurance has been suspended.”
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Transdev said in an email statement that it had no choice.
“We can only offer our benefits to employees who are actively working. Health benefits can be reinstated very quickly as soon as people return to work,” Transdev stated.
Striking workers vowed to remain off the job until the demands are met.
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