Work Stoppage Update/Weekend Service
Please see the message below from OmniRide’s Executive Director regarding the status of negotiations between Keolis and the union.
This weekend the Union representing OmniRide’s bus operators will be voting whether to accept the offer negotiated with Keolis, which employs the workforce but is funded by our passengers and the residents within the OmniRide footprint.
Over the past few weeks we shared information about services, not the process, in order to avoid finger-pointing and provide room for the parties to negotiate. Today I wanted to share that this week a last, best, and final offer was provided to the Union, and its members are scheduled to vote Yes or No this weekend.
Out of transparency for our community, the offer includes:
- Four-year Labor Agreement between Keolis & Teamsters
- Compression of years to reach top pay from 16 to 5 years (6 was on the table when the Union stopped working)
- Approximate 14% across the board pay increase in year 1, including a $750 ratification bonus
- 3% annual raises for each year of the contract
- 2% increase in 401(k) match for a total of 3%
- Additional paid holiday for Juneteenth Celebration
- Same level of compensation for CDL drivers, regardless of service type
- Increased & more frequent Attendance Bonus for excellent attendance
- Numerous other items related to work rules and internal procedures
This increases the compensation for the Union workforce by an average value of $3M per year, or $12M over the length of the four-year contract. While this is a large dollar amount, the cost is driven by the reduction of the number years to reach top pay and is in line with industry standards, making OmniRide a highly competitive place to work. This allows OmniRide to offer excellence in our services by hiring and retaining the region’s best operator workforce.
We will update our customers on the status of the vote late Sunday afternoon and will announce the services for Monday based on the outcome. We are hopeful that beginning Monday we can resume our full complement of OmniRide services. Please keep an eye on the OmniRide website Sunday evening.
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WEEKEND SERVICE, 3/11-3/12
SATURDAY:
OMNIRIDE LOCAL -- these routes will operate according to regular Saturday published schedules.
· Dale City Local
· Dumfries Local
· Woodbridge Local - B Loop
· Route 1 Local
The eastern transfer hub will continue to be at Potomac Mills for the eastern local routes. Buses will not go to the Transit Center.
Metro Express -- The Prince William Metro Express will operate according to regular Saturday published schedule.
Riders who need travel assistance should call OmniRide Customer Service at 703-730-6664. We apologize for the inconvenience and disruption to your commute. Further updates will be provided as necessary.
SUNDAY: NO SERVICE.
Because of the work stoppage, some OmniRide and Keolis staff will work six days this week. OmniRide appreciates our bus operators, road supervisors, dispatchers and other operations staff who have been working tirelessly to ensure that we can still provide limited service. In particular, the same bus operators have been driving all week. Regulations do not permit them to drive for seven straight days. For their health and safety, we need to provide them with a day to rest. We appreciate your understanding.