The union representing Metro Transit said that it had nothing to do with the apparent "sickout" Thursday -- about a hundred workers calling in sick -- but they understand. Transit Local 788 Vice President Katina Wilson told KMOX that bus drivers want more respect from management -- and more security.
"They're scared. They're scared driving behind the wheel of that bus," she said. "People are getting on these buses with guns, operators can oviously see them, we're driving with strangers behind our head every day."
The union said contract talks are at a stalemate. Drivers want raises to keep up with inflation, but according to Transit Local 788 President Reginald Howard, management is not cooperating with them.
"The proposal they gave us was real low, it was terribly low," Howard said. "About 1%."
Transit Local 788 Shop Steward Oliver Cody said he also figured the sickout was related to security concerns.
"A lot of the operators come to me talking about the security -- it pretty much sucks out there, on the Metrolink," Cody said. "And they say that's one reason the ridership is down --people are afraid to even get on the train."
Metro management says the sickout caused half-hour delays on some bus routes, but all the routes were staffed.
