DeCamp Bus Service Resumes Wednesday

The DeCamp Bus Strike is Over — For Now.

New Jersey Assemblyman Thomas Giblin mediated Saturday what was essentially a cease-fire agreement between striking union workers and DeCamp management.  

The good news is: as of Wednesday, bus service will again be running in and out of New York. The bad news is that the resolution is fragile — and possibly temporary.  

"An agreement was not necessarily reached," Giblin said on Sunday. "The two sides have agreed to a cooling-off period more than a settlement."

What that means is that DeCamp maintenance crews and mechanics will go back to work on Monday and bus drivers will resume their regular routes on Wednesday. As for when further contract negotiations will resume, Giblin says, "I'm not really certain of a timetable. Maybe in about a week."

Amalgamated Transit Union Chairman John Costa, who was a key player at the bargaining table, said, "Tommy (Giblin) brokered a good deal on paper. We want to thank him for that. The company was able to save face and the employees feel proud going back (to work.) The company has promised there will be no fines or retaliations (toward striking employees) and the workers felt they sent a message that they're serious." 

However, Costa noted, "If future negotiations don't go forward in a reasonable amount of time, the workers may vote to go on strike again."

Since 2009, union employees say they've been working without a contract and have been deadlocked with DeCamp management on issues regarding pension benefits and wages. On September 2, employees began picketing outside the DeCamp company headquarters on Greenwood Avenue.

Giblin outlined the arrangement as follows:

 — The employees return to work, with no reprisals or disciplinary action of any kind, nor any negative commentary allowed on the part of the workers against the company.

— Both sides will continue to negotiate in good faith. 

"As of now, the status of worker's wages and benefits is still status quo," Giblin said. 

However, Giblin noted, "DeCamp is no longer hemorrhaging financial losses and both sides have agreed to meet on common ground. That's a positive sign."

Regarding DeCamp's Vice President of Operations, Gary Pard, who was much vilified by the workers, Giblin added, "Mr. Pard in my observation seems like a reasonable man. He seems to be sincere. That's what it takes on both sides."

Though Giblin noted that he will be stepping away from the negotiations ("I don't think my role is be involved after this point"), Costa remains optimistic that a compromise can be reached. "I'm hopeful we can work something out long term," he said. "We're in this together with the company."