Tucson City Manager Michael Ortega said the mayor and council should not amend the current year’s budget to provide more money for Sun Tran bus services and help end the month-long strike.
“I would not recommend that,” Ortega said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
Sun Tran workers, represented by Teamsters Local 104 labor union, have been on strike since August 6.
Workers have sought pay raises, increased pension contributions and improved safety provisions.
Tucson City Attorney Mike Rankin said city officials or the council cannot get directly involved in the negotiations to end the impasse.
“Sun Tran employees are employees of that company (Professional Transit Management) and not the City of Tucson,” Rankin said.
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He said the striking employees work for the outside contractor because the city receives federal funding to operate bus services and federal rules require the workers to have collective bargaining and work stoppage rights.
The city charter doesn’t permit city workers to strike.
Teamsters Local 104 President Andy Marshall said at a news conference earlier Wednesday that striking workers would continue the work stoppage for as long as necessary.
“It’s not about money,” Marshall said.
He noted 22 Sun Tran drivers were assaulted during work last year.
Marshall also said of the 469 Sun Tran drivers and mechanics the Teamsters represent, 463 remain on strike. Another 30 non-union workers have joined the work stoppage, he said.
