Bus Drivers On Strike

Santa Clarita’s bus drivers went on strike starting on October 9 because of a year of failed contract negotiations. This disrupted the city’s local and commuter bus services. On September 15, MV Transportation, the company contracted for Santa Clarita bus service, announced the union representing bus drivers, Teamsters Local 572, would strike if workers’ demands weren’t met.

At the central bus maintenance facility, 200 bus drivers, customer service representatives, dispatchers, and Teamsters officials picketed. MV Transportation had only offered $19.75 per hour, then a $0.10 increase after two years and another after three years, a $0.15 increase after 4 years, and a $0.75 increase after five or more years. They also claimed Santa Clarita wasn’t providing the funding to acquiesce to workers’ demands.

The union asked for a 9% increase back in 2022, and 8% increases for 2023 and 2024. Drivers claim current wages don’t meet costs of living in Santa Clarita. Also commuting from other cities has become more expensive with rising gas prices.

The William S. Hart Union District announced that students who get to school with Santa Clarita Transit would need to make alternative travel plans but yellow bus service wasn’t halted. Five emergency transit routes remained open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. No commuters were available.

On December 3, the union agreed to MV's terms. The drivers won’t receive pensions but were given significant raises that are more like drivers’ wages in nearby cities like Palmdale. Drivers thanked Santa Clarita residents who supported the drivers, spoke up at city council meetings, and joined picket lines. The eight week long strike is finally over.