Keolis criticizes 'unprecedented' Teamsters bus driver strike amid negotiations

RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — A top Keolis executive criticized Teamsters Local 533, the local bus drivers union, calling their second strike in two months 'unprecedented' because the two sides were actively negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement.

In his first on-camera interview since the second strike started last week, Mike Ake, Keolis North America regional vice president of operations, said it was 'very, very unusual' to call for a work stoppage during negotiations.

"We were shocked, frankly. I mean we were in the middle of active negotiations," Ake said. "We had (tentatively) agreed to some articles and then out of the blue he calls a strike midday on Monday."

Ake said the strike, which started at noon last Monday, came at the worst possible time because passengers who took RTC buses to work or to run errands were stranded in the middle of the day.

The main issue in the second strike, union leaders say, is Keolis' proposal to switch to a new system for scheduling drivers called 'block bidding.'

Gary Watson, Teamsters president, said block bidding could result in drivers having less flexibility to choose their shifts around their personal lives. He also feared block bidding could lead to drivers working split shifts or having split days off.

In an interview Tuesday, Ake said block bidding is the transportation industry standard because of safety.

"It's the safest way, it provides the most stable work week to all of our employees and it's safety-related because drivers have the same report time day after day and their sleep cycle gets regulated," Ake said.

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But Watson said union drivers have bid for daily shifts, instead of weekly blocks, for over 40 years and it's a benefit they don't want to give up.

"The members have had this type of scheduling for 40 years and it has worked. What hasn't worked is Keolis this costs Keolis nothing, they just want power and control," Watson wrote.

Keolis representatives are scheduled to meet with Teamsters union representatives for more bargaining sessions on Oct. 7 and 8.

Rides are free on the handful of routes still running during the strike, RTC officials said. RTC is also paying for Uber vouchers and taxi fares during the work stoppage. Click here for more information on RTC's services during the strike.

Email reporter Ben Margiott at bjmargiott@sbgtv.com. Follow @BenMargiott on Twitter and Ben Margiott KRNV on Facebook.