Strike, protests could happen for tech bus drivers, union warns

Genentech bus drivers Jose Quindinilla (left), Mark Zerrilla and Marco Marquez react during a Compass Transportation bus drivers meeting at Teamsters Local 853 in San Leandro, Calif., on Saturday, October 3, 2015. less Genentech bus drivers Jose Quindinilla (left), Mark Zerrilla and Marco Marquez react during a Compass Transportation bus drivers meeting at Teamsters Local 853 in San Leandro, Calif., on Saturday, October 3, ... more Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 10 Caption Close Strike, protests could happen for tech bus drivers, union warns 1 / 10 Back to Gallery

A union representing tech bus drivers warned members to prepare to strike if their employer, Compass Transportation, refuses to budge on giving them better health care benefits and more holidays.

The drivers shuttle employees for large companies, including Apple, Genentech, Yahoo, eBay, PayPal and Evernote, and are represented by the Teamsters Union. Drivers should also be prepared to stop their buses if groups of protesters, most likely union supporters, swarm their buses, union officials said Saturday at a meeting in San Leandro.

“Look at each other. Do you look like the people you are driving around in those buses?” said Rome Aloise, a Teamsters vice president and the local union’s main officer, adding that most of the tech workers are white and male. “You’re the workers that make it run. Without you, they can’t operate.”

The drivers approved a union contract proposal on Aug. 1, but Compass Transportation has not agreed to the terms. Many tech bus drivers were earning $17 to $21 an hour. Earlier this year, Apple hiked pay for its drivers and after a Chronicle report exposed how some drivers were living in their cars because they couldn’t afford a place to live, most of the tech companies raised wages by as much as $9.50 an hour.

“I don’t want anybody here to think that Apple, Genentech, (or) Yahoo did it out of the goodness of their hearts,” Aloise said. “You realize that because you are standing up for yourselves that this is happening.”

But Compass and the Teamsters have yet to agree on other aspects of their contract, such as health care and paid holidays. The Teamsters want 11 paid holidays, Compass is offering six, drivers said. Teamsters also want Compass to pay for the first year of health care.

Compass said in a letter addressed to drivers that few companies in California provide employees and their families with free health care.

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“Local and state governments and private companies that agreed to these generous benefits levels in the past have had trouble meeting their obligations, some have declared bankruptcy and many have since replaced the benefits with more reasonable alternatives,” wrote Bryan O’Connell, a senior vice president at Compass’ parent company, Transdev On Demand, in the letter.

The company’s argument may have a struck a nerve with some workers. Sherry Mundy-Blair, 49, asked the tech workers she was transporting from San Francisco to eBay’s San Jose offices whether eBay pays for 100 percent of their health care. The answer was no.

“How many companies we work for do that and are we asking for too much?” Mundy-Blair asked at the union meeting.

Aloise said that’s like comparing apples to caviar because health care costs for tech workers making six figures make up a much smaller percentage of their paycheck, compared to what that percentage would be for bus drivers.

“Why we do it is because drivers have been beat down economically so long that even with the raises, they weren’t going to be able to afford to buy the health care they needed,” Aloise said.

Some labor experts believe the Teamsters could have better leverage if workers chose to strike. A strike would need to be authorized by a vote before it could happen. “I don’t think the big companies want any bad publicity,” said Bill Gould, a Stanford University law professor and a former chairman of the National Labor Relations Board.

But Gould warned that if drivers choose to strike, they will not get paid, and it could imperil some of the Compass contracts.

Already, game developer Zynga has decided not to renew its contract with Compass. Compass also sent a 90-day notice to Amtrak to end its bus service, but it’s possible it could be renewed, Aloise said. Amtrak drivers transport passengers at stations to various destinations in the Bay Area.

Aloise emphasized he hopes it will not come down to a strike, but if it does, he said it’s important drivers stick together as a group.

“Are you willing to stand up for yourselves?” Aloise asked in front of a banner that said “Unity” in large letters.

“Yes,” the crowd cheered.

Wendy Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: wlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thewendylee