Brenna Goth

The Republic | azcentral.com

Phoenix bus drivers will strike beginning Friday, affecting dozens of routes used by nearly 80,000 riders each weekday.

Officials from Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1433 announced Thursday night that 91 percent of their members rejected the latest "best and final" offer from transit company Transdev. The union then called a strike, starting at midnight.

The union warned last month that a strike could affect festivities surrounding this week's College Football Playoff national championship game. Union leaders originally set a Monday deadline to come to an agreement or strike, but held off to continue negotiations. Transdev then came back with its latest offer, which the union recommended against.

Thirty-four routes operated under Phoenix's Transdev contract — which pass through other Valley cities in several cases — won't operate Friday. Other Valley routes and light rail will run as usual.

Moments after the announcement, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton posted on Twitter, "I demand that ATU & Transdev continue to negotiate through the strike & expect them back at the table in AM. Disappointed it's come to this."

Phoenix bus strike: What you need to know

The Rev. Jarrett Maupin, a civil-rights activist working with the union, said the sticking points came to issues including bereavement, better access to restrooms and opposition to a two-tier pay system. The union is willing to go back to the table, he said.

"We are committed to talks," Maupin said.

Union treasurer Michael Cornelius said, "Nobody wants to keep a strike out forever."

Transdev has five days to provide Saturday-level service, according to the city. Transdev's contract with Phoenix does not include a formal strike plan.

A statement released by Transdev shortly after the announcement said, "We are very disappointed that our operators are being instructed by ATU 1433 to strike tonight at midnight. Our focus now will shift in preparing to provide Valley riders with the service they have come to expect with as few interruptions as possible during the strike."

Riders stranded by Phoenix bus strike

Phoenix's Public Transit Department warned riders this week of service disruptions. The department recommends telecommuting, identifying carpools or using valleymetro.org to register for a vanpool seat. The department does not offer fare refunds for missed rides or for multi-day passes.

The Phoenix Union High School District also prepared this week by sending texts and voice messages to 27,000 households Monday evening warning of the strike, said Craig Pletenik, the district’s spokesman. About half of the students in the district rely on public transportation to get to and from school, he said.

Phoenix holds a five-year contract estimated at $373 million with Transdev to run 34 routes, including neighborhood circulators and RAPID service. The average weekday ridership on the company's routes was about 78,000 in October, according to the city's Public Transit Department.

Contract negotiations began in April. Transdev's latest offer did not fully address sticking points such as discipline and opposition to a tiered wage system, Maupin said.

Transdev officials noted changes on previous points of contention, including agreeing to provide employees with a uniform allowance instead of a voucher. A 3 percent annual wage increase retroactive to July was also included, said General Manager Katrina Heineking.

Transdev runs the following routes:

0-Central Avenue; 1-Washington/Jefferson; 7-Seventh Street; 8-Seventh Avenue; 10-Roosevelt/32nd Street; 12-12th Street; 15-15th Avenue; 16-16th Street; 19-19th Avenue; 27-27th Avenue; 28-Lower Buckeye; 35-35th Avenue; 39-40th Street north Phoenix; 44-44th Street/Tatum; 50-Camelback; 52-Roeser; 60-Bethany Home; 70-Glendale/24th Street; 80-Northern/Shea; 90-Dunlap/Cave Creek; 106-Peoria; 122-Cactus; 138-Thunderbird; 154-Greenway; 170-Bell; 186-Union Hills/Mayo; the SMART (Sunnyslope) and DASH (downtown) circulators; and all RAPID commuter routes: Central South Mountain East, Central South Mountain West, Interstate 10 East, I-10 West, I-17 and State Route 51.