Strike looms for MCTS

Milwaukee - Another strike may be on the horizon as contact talks between the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) have appeared to reach another impasse.

According to a confidential source, MCTS has refused to proceed with negotiations with ATU on the new contract. ATU is prepared to reject the latest offer from MCTS and move to a strike vote. If the vote passes, the strike could take effect as early as mid-January.

The most recent contract expired on March 31st, 2018. On August 9th, MCTS and ATU agreed to extend the contract until the end of 2018 while continuing to negotiate on a long term deal.

A representative from MCTS insists that negotiations with ATU through a federal mediator continue and they feel confident that a new deal will be reached within the coming weeks.

Multiple attempts to reach ATU for comment were unsuccessful prior to publication.

With a fleet of 400 diesel buses and a dedicated team of 1,100 operators, mechanics and administrative staff, MCTS provides on average 130,000 rides every day to people across Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha Counties.