Metro Transit workers reject contract offer

Bus and train operators, mechanics and other union transit workers rejected a three-year contract proposal from the Metropolitan Council, officials announced Monday evening. Metro Transit leaders said the margin was 53 to 47 percent.

Leaders of the of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005 wouldn't comment on why they thought it was turned down but said they weren't surprised by the results.

Both sides signaled they were eager to return to bargaining.

"We'll be calling the council [today] to get some dates scheduled," union President Michelle Sommers said. "We want to get back to the table and get the job done."

Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb said in a written statement that management was disappointed but will work diligently on a new offer.

Metro Transit doesn't have more money to put on the table but may be able to shift money around to make its offer more appealing, he said.

"A settlement is still within reach and it's in the best interests of everyone -- our transit system, our employees and our customers," he said.

Lamb said in an interview that the proposal included wage increases over three years, with an initial 1.5 percent beginning on Feb. 1, an additional 1.5 percent in 2007 and 1.75 percent in 2008.

The contract offer would have continued paying full health-care premiums for employees electing single coverage.

For those with family coverage, premiums would not increase this year, but would rise 9 percent in each of the next two years.

Lamb said he wasn't sure why the vote failed.

Sommers wouldn't comment on that, either, but said only "It's not always about money."

The vote comes two years after workers went on strike for 44 days in early 2004. That strike centered primarily on a change that would have put more health care costs onto the workers.

Asked about the probability of another strike, Lamb said it's always a concern when there isn't an agreement, but that talks were more civil this time around.

Said Sommers: "We don't even want to talk about that. ... We're going back to the table."

The proposed contract would have been in effect until July 31, 2008, and affected more than 2,000 employees.

It was the first offer membership voted on. Their contract expired on July 31, 2005.

Metro Transit provides 240,000 rides a day on bus and rail, officials said.

Pam Louwagie • 612-673-7102