Transit workers issue notice of intent to strike against Akron Metro RTA starting Nov. 15

Transport Workers Union of America Local 1 members are set to strike against Akron Metro RTA beginning Nov. 15 unless a tentative agreement for a new contract is reached before then, the union told the Beacon Journal.

Timothy Piatt, the union's attorney, said the union issued a notice of intent to strike the week after next "after negotiations just did not go well."

According to Metro, the TWU and Metro ended a bargaining session at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday without a tentative agreement for a new contract.

More: No union strike yet: Metro RTA service is running Thursday

Piatt said no more sessions were scheduled for this week or next week as of Thursday afternoon.

Metro, which said it had provided the TWU a final proposal and asked for its membership to vote, advised riders Wednesday of the possibility of a work stoppage Thursday, After no strike or picketing was initiated, the agency said it was assured by the union that no such action was planned until Nov. 15.

The union and Metro have been negotiating for more than a year since the union's contract expired July 31, 2020. A federal mediator has been working with both parties since talks began.

Union members approved a strike authorization vote Sept. 11, Crystalynne Butler-Justers, union vice president and a bus driver since 1993, said in September. Strike authorization does not mean a union will go on strike; approval authorizes union leaders to call a strike if they decide one is necessary.

The union and Metro have not reached agreement on major issues such as pay, health insurance and more, she said in September.

Butler-Justers on Thursday referred questions to Piatt.

Contact Beacon Journal reporter Emily Mills at emills@thebeaconjournal.com and on Twitter @EmilyMills818.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Metro RTA transit workers set to go on strike beginning Nov. 15