Rumors Circulate of MARTA Employee 'Sick-Out'

By Justin Ove

MARTA management has spoken out on rumors that some employees are planning a “sick-out” to protest the lack of progress on a new labor deal that would see raises for operators.

WABE reports that MARTA employees that spoke to them on a condition of anonymity said that the “sick-out” would occur on Aug. 4, the first day of classes at Atlanta Public Schools.

Those who spoke to the station said they felt frustrated that the Amalgamated Transit Union which represents MARTA employees is not pushing hard enough for a deal to provide raises.

A MARTA spokesman told WABE that management was continuing to negotiate with the union for a fair labor deal, and added that the union had informed MARTA that anyone threatening a work stoppage was not authorized to speak on behalf of the union.

Union president Curtis Howard declined to speak about the negotiations or the alleged “sick-out”.