Proposed new limits on how much Metro employees can work will likely become a key sticking point in contentious contract negotiations with the agency’s largest union in the coming months, after a report found long days leading to fatigue. The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 contract expires by the end of June, with initial talks on the new one expected to begin as early as January. Negotiations between Metro and the union were already expected to be tense, after the agency lost a court battle this year over wage increases.
Now, Metro officials have said they plan to rely on a study released last week by the Tri-State Oversight Committee on worker fatigue as leverage in the upcoming negotiations for the new contract. “This report is really important,” Metro’s second in command, Dave Kubicek, told board members Thursday.
