POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess Mass Transit workers, represented by Teamsters
Local 445, have voted overwhelmingly to strike.
The workers, bus drivers, call-center staff, mechanics and utility workers,
voted 54 to 4 this week to approve a strike that could begin as early
as next week, said union representative Jerry Ebert.
The union would give at least a 12-hour public notice of the strike,
he said.
“We’ve negotiated about 90 percent of what we need, but that last
10 percent is extremely important to the employees,” said Ebert.
He described negotiations with the county and the company as “mutually
respectful,” and said a federal mediator was trying to bring both
sides together.
“The employees feel a responsibility to their regular passengers,
and don’t want to leave anyone stranded. However, they’re determined to
achieve their goals, and know it’s time to make a stand,” Ebert said.
If the strike takes place, it would be the fourth transit system work
stoppage since 1986.
