Bus riders in Phoenix are being warned of a possible driver strike. A vote to authorize a work stoppage is scheduled for Wednesday.
Transdev, one of the main bus service providers for Phoenix, has warned the Public Transportation Department that members of the Amalgamated Transit Union will vote on whether to walk off the job.
But Matthew Heil with the city of Phoenix, said there’s no reason for bus riders to panic just yet.
“That vote does not mean that they will strike. It simply gives them the ability at some point in the future to take that action if they feel it’s necessary,” he said.
Negotiations have been ongoing since April. Collective bargaining agreements for the transportation workers expired on June 30 and were extended to Sept. 30.
A potential strike would affect 34 of Phoenix’s 49 bus routes working for Transdev, but would disrupt service citywide. The city averages 128,000 boardings per day.