Ithaca’s Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit system may soon come to a standstill, but not because of any mechanical failures; the workers who drive and keep the buses running are being pushed beyond their limits.
On March 12, 84% of TCAT workers in Tompkins County voted in favor of a strike after unsuccessful contract negotiations. This authorization of strike reflects workers’ growing frustration over their low wages, measly benefits, and dastardly working conditions. Their struggle is not just about compensation, but ensuring fair treatment for the essential workers who keep the City of Ithaca mobile. Their work is critical to the daily life of our community, yet they are continuously underpaid and overworked.
Since the start of the year, TCAT and its workers, represented by United Auto Workers Local 2300, the local chapter of the UAW, have been in debate about the conditions of their new contract. Workers are demanding fair wages, cost of living adjustments and overall better conditions that address issues such as mandatory overtime. The union argues that management’s current offer is falling short of workers’ needs, despite TCAT management maintaining that their offer includes both competitive wages and benefits.
The TCAT is the backbone of Ithaca’s mobility. Many members of the community depend on the TCAT including both Ithaca College and Cornell University students, as well as numerous Ithaca residents, with an annual ridership of 2.85 million. A strike would disrupt these services, affecting commuters and students who rely on the buses for daily transportation. If TCAT management does not come to an agreement with the union, it could eventually lead to decreased service quality and less reliable public transportation for Ithaca community members. Over the last few years, TCAT has reported understaffing issues, which begs the question of why management is risking losing the measly amount of workers they have.
While inconvenient, this strike is a result of management’s failure to meet their workers basic needs. Public service industries, like the TCAT, often give workers little to no power when negotiating terms of their contracts without workers resorting to strikes. The strike authorization vote is a strong signal from TCAT workers, but it is not too late for management to come back with a more fair option; a resolution that benefits both workers and management is essential to keep transit running.
It is time for TCAT management to do the right thing and offer a fair contract that can both support its workers and keep Ithaca’s public transit system strong. A fair deal will prevent this strike from becoming a reality, and ensures that TCAT workers can continue to serve the community. The TCAT workers’ demands are not just about higher pay, but about the dignity and respect they deserve.
