Union, OCTA reach tentative agreement

Bus service is expected to be restored this week after the Orange County Transportation Authority and Teamsters Union reached a tentative agreement after a weeklong strike.

The OCTA will hold a special board meeting today to ratify the agreement. Union members voted on the contract Sunday after both parties announced they reached a tentative agreement at a news conference Saturday morning.

Under the proposal, drivers with five or more years of experience would receive a total 11.25% wage increase over three years, with a 10.5% increase for newer employees.

Bus drivers normally scheduled to work the afternoon shift today have been asked to show up as scheduled if the agreement is ratified, but it remains unclear if a smooth transition could be achieved, transportation authority Chairwoman Carolyn Cavecche said.

“We’re hoping to get fleet ready to go by [this] afternoon,” Cavecche said. “If not, service will be restored by Tuesday or Wednesday, at the latest.”

— Yvonne Villarreal