Teamsters Local 186 announced that 100% of its members have voted to authorize a strike as negotiations continue with the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District.
The union held its vote on June 11, with all three units represented by Local 186 approving the strike. The units include drivers, maintenance and supervisors.
The vote came one day after MTD submitted its first contract proposal.
The two sides are currently negotiating the issue of health care. In a press release, Local 186 stated that Santa Barbara MTD is looking to roll back health benefits to 2022 levels, which the union says would require members to pay more.
Jedediah Johnson, a negotiator for Teamsters Local 186, issued a press release saying that MTD’s proposal is unacceptable.
“The district proposed to take from their employees instead of reward them for keeping the city moving — these employees that worked through the pandemic,” Johnson said. “The district proposed to take away their employees’ early retirement, freeze their pension and wages for the life of the contract and have them pay more for health care.”
The current contract covers three years and began in July 2022. It is set to expire June 30.
MTD responded to the strike authorization by saying it is common during negotiations. It did not share the details of the negotiations but said discussions are expected to continue.
“MTD is committed to ongoing negotiations, in good faith, while also managing a $4.9 million budget deficit in upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 with one-time COVID stimulus funds that are anticipated to be exhausted in a few years,” MTD spokeswoman Hillary Blackerby said.
In its statement, the Teamsters disagreed with that statement and said its research shows that MTD is doing well financially.
“We have done our homework, and SBMTD exhibits financial health in the strong assets, low liabilities, increasing revenues and manageable expenses. SBMTD is situated well to invest in their employees,” the press release stated.
Blackerby said the negotiations have continued during the past week, and there is a risk of work stoppage if the two sides do not reach an agreement.
“MTD is committed to communicating to the public far enough in advance for riders to make alternate transportation plans,” she said. “Should a work stoppage be called, MTD personnel will use every avenue possible to communicate with as much advanced warning as possible.”