GREENSBORO, N.C. — Crisis averted at Greensboro Transit Authority. Tuesday morning, service for nearly all of the city’s routes was suspended due to a lack of drivers.
Some drivers said buses wouldn’t roll until their demands were met. Just before noon, GTA announced everything was back to normal.
Negotiations between Ratpdev – the company that employs the drivers – will officially continue later this week.
A GTA bus driver told WFMY News 2’s Arielle Cadet they spoke with a representative from the company about the wages and benefits that they want to see in those negotiations.
Drivers said they are pushing for a salary increase, more PTO time and want to keep the insurance they have right now.
One driver said Retpdev was planning to change insurance plans, and they were worried it would cost a lot more.
An employment lawyer we spoke to said employees have the right to walk out when it comes to economic concerns. She said the union that represents the bus drivers would meet the company to talk about negotiations.
“It's usually actually members of the union in company representatives and they get together literally in the space. Sometimes it's offsite and they talk about what it is the union is there to represent - the interest of the company and their representatives - usually, every attorney is there and they really go back and forth,” said employment lawyer Nicole Patino.
One passenger we spoke with waited a couple of hours at his usual stop before he found out the buses weren’t running. He said he had an appointment that he missed and was waiting with an A&T student who missed class.
He said he’s glad the drivers are back working but understands why they walked out.
“My mentality, my whole thing is that the city officials who are on these buses and so-and-so need to do better. They got to start addressing issues better. Listening to the community,” said Thomas Clodfelter.
Another bus rider we spoke to missed work during the walkout.
"I'm frustrated, I am upset, I have no way to work and if I had a way to work, I will be at work right now," Rebecca Tolbert said. "GTA is the only way I get to and from work and I'm just really mad and upset."
The city said it doesn’t expect any more issues with routes as negotiations continue.