Members of a Phoenix transit union voted against a new contract proposed by bus service provider First Transit Tuesday night. Negotiations involve the drivers of 14 Phoenix bus routes.
Officials with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1433 say the contract was rejected by 96 percent of voting members.
Health insurance appears to be the main sticking point. Chapter president Robert Bean says the company is offering westside drivers an insurance plan that’s twice as expensive as the one being offered to eastside drivers.
"When you’re talking $1,100 to be able to insure your family on medical in the west Valley and $500 in the east Valley on the same medical plan, same company and they’re self insured, there’s something wrong there," Bean said.
In a statement, First Transit says they’re disappointed in the outcome of the vote, and that the offer was “fair and reasonable.”
Bean says negotiations are expected to continue next week. At this point, there are no service disruptions planned.
