Politics
Politics

Few bus disruptions Thursday as MARTA labor unrest subsides

Scores of MARTA bus drivers called in sick Monday through Wednesday, but disruptions were down substantially Thursday morning.
Scores of MARTA bus drivers called in sick Monday through Wednesday, but disruptions were down substantially Thursday morning.
By
Jan 31, 2019

Labor unrest that disrupted MARTA bus service this week appears to have subsided – at least for now.

MARTA reported few delays on bus routes Thursday morning. It was not clear how many bus drivers called in sick, if any.

Monday through Wednesday, scores of drivers called in sick, apparently expressing unhappiness with a tentative labor agreement between MARTA and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 732. The agreement must be approved by the union members and the MARTA Board of Directors.

On Wednesday MARTA went to court to end the sickout. The agency cited evidence that union leaders may have encouraged the disruption, though an ATU vice president disavowed the sickout in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday.

MARTA is seeking an injunction ordering the union to get its employees back to work. A hearing is set for Thursday afternoon.

Check back for updates.

About the Author

David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues. Previously, he covered local government and politics in Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Before moving to Atlanta, he worked at newspapers in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.

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