The union representing Sun Tran drivers and mechanics trounced a contract proposal in a vote Saturday night, rejecting it by a 99 percent margin.
The offer was described as management's "best and final offer," a union official said, as four days remain before a contract extension expires and a strike is possible.
"I've informed management of the vote results, and the ball's back in their court," said Andrew Marshall, principal executive officer of Teamsters Local 104.
Marshall said that of the 367 members who voted, 363 voted "no" and four voted "yes."
Kandi Young, communications director for Sun Tran, said late Saturday that negotiations will continue and that for bus and transit passengers, "There will be no change in regular service" at least through Wednesday.
"We were hopeful that the contract would pass, but we are happy for passengers" that there will be no disruption in services as negotiations continue, Young said.
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She said that the details of the contract offer were kept "at the table" among negotiators and that she doesn't know the specifics.
Marshall, however, disclosed some details of the rejected offer. He emphasized that the dispute is not just about economic issues, but also about safety issues for drivers after a stabbing and other assaults.
"But I can tell you this, the economics were absolutely embarrassing," Marshall said. Management offered a three-year contract with no raises for anyone "except for new hires," who would have received a 50-cent raise in the first year, he said.
"And the wage progression would remain frozen," he added, explaining that drivers are supposed to be able to reach top pay for their position, which is $19.22 an hour, within four years, but that progression has been frozen for several years.
To keep Tucson's buses running and to avoid a strike, both sides agreed Friday to a contract extension that expires at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. The contract had been scheduled to expire Friday.
Union members approved a plan last weekend to strike if a new contract cannot be negotiated.
Union and Sun Tran officials also had to hash out a last-minute deal last year to avoid a strike and interruption of bus services.
Sun Tran workers went on strike in 1997 and again in 2001. The 2001 strike lasted for nearly two weeks, so a federal mediator was brought in to negotiate the settlement.
