December 12, 2013
By Stephanie West
Charlotte, North Carolina – Charlotte Area Transit System and their bus drivers represented by United Transportation Union have failed to reach an agreement. The city is now requesting that a binding arbitration process be established to bring all parties together and settle the dispute.
The Transit Management of Charlotte and the UTU has reached an impasse although numerous sessions have taken place. The two side have agreed to most items but their remains a few issues to be resolved.
CATS contracts with McDonald Transportation, a private management company, to employ the drivers, manage daily operations and conduct union negotiations. Transit Management of Charlotte is a subsidiary of McDonald Transportation. To comply with state and federal law, CATS bus drivers and mechanics must be employed by a private professional-management company that contracts with the transit system.
If the union agrees to binding arbitration, the next step will be the selection of an arbitrator to resolve the disputed items. A final decision could take three months.
