FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Fairfax Connector bus line workers are on strike beginning at 3 a.m. Dec. 5, affecting 91 routes and approximately 30,000 riders.
Amalgamated Transit Union 1764 and contractor Transdev were in negotiations to agree to a new contract by Nov. 30, but negotiations broke down. More than 600 members of ATU 1764 voted in early November to authorize the strike.
ATU 1764 has accused Transdev of participating in unfair labor practices and bad faith bargaining tactics.
"We held off as long as we could, but Transdev made clear at negotiations today that they would rather see service disrupted than their unfair labor practices ended," ATU International President John Costa said in a statement. "While we remain committed to negotiating with Transdev to reach a fair and just contract, workers cannot be asked to tolerate an escalating campaign of union-busting in the meantime."
ATU 1764 members working for Fairfax Connector will picket at the West Ox, Herndon and Huntington divisions.
Transdev began operating the Fairfax Connector bus service in July. In a statement, the contractor said it was disappointed by the union's stance.
"We are disappointed that the union would not accept Transdev's good faith offer on the table to extend the current contract, which included full retroactive pay and a wage increase," the statement read.
An ongoing strike has already affected some Metro bus service in Alexandria city, Fairfax and Arlington counties for more than 40 days, as Transdev and ATU 689 have worked to negotiate a contract regarding work at the Cinder Bed Bus Garage as well.
"We apologize for the short-term inconvenience to our riders, but if we don’t stand up to Transdev now, the long-term effects will be worse for everyone in the DMV," Costa said. "These strikes at Fairfax Connector and Cinder Bed Road are about the future of public transportation in our region. Do we want private multinational companies who break the law and put profit first while exploiting riders and workers and cutting corners on safety and service? We believe the resounding answer from workers and riders alike will be 'hell no!'"
Fairfax Connector bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thursday.
Fairfax County officials are urging passengers affected by the service changes to consider alternate routes, such as carpooling, taking Metrobus, Metrorail, or Virginia Railway Express (VRE) service, or biking, walking, and teleworking.
For more information on route operations, click here.