Negotiations between the Hawaii Teamsters and Allied Workers Local 996 and Oahu Transit Services (OTS) have reached a critical juncture, with the union accusing OTS of intransigence and of deliberately pushing workers toward a strike. The stalemate threatens to disrupt TheBus service, impacting the daily commutes of approximately 130,000 riders and potentially affecting businesses that rely on public transportation.
"There is a lot of things we found out later that they could move on. But they wanna still continue to go down this path, that cause our people to go out on a strike and we don't want that," a union representative stated, as reported by KHON2. This statement suggests that the union believes there are unresolved issues that OTS could address, potentially averting a strike.
The standstill comes after months of negotiations over a new contract, with the previous agreement expiring at the end of June, according to Hawaii News Now. The primary sticking points are believed to include disagreements over wages, pension contributions, and hazard pay, among other key issues. A strike would severely impede the ability of residents and the tourism industry to move around the island which would require contingency planning from Honolulu city officials.
The implications of a strike are far-reaching. Businesses in Waikiki, which depend heavily on TheBus to bring workers to the district, could experience significant staffing shortages and reduced operating hours, as noted by the Star Advertiser. The absence of TheBus would also affect the many visitors and locals who can not afford alternative transportation, further hurting the local economy.
