I don't know where "Sydney" got his information but it is totally incorrect. UTU has emphasized the point over and over again that we are making sure ALL PARATRANSIT SERVICES ARE OPERATING IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. Call their office - they are running. I wish people would make the effort to get correct information - not just information from the District or the Sentinel - before they write a scathing opinion piece about our bus operators.

This is an unfair labor practice strike. The District has engaged in bad faith bargaining. We had a state mediated no strike no lockout agreement. It was signed by the General Manager Les White. The Board reneged on that agreement. This is an unprecidented event - not adopting a state mediated no strike agreement.

The District has refused our right to a grievance process - they said it was because we did not have a contract. It was the District's decision to let our contract expire on August 2 in the first place. We had a mediation session set for August 2nd, the mediator didn't show up, we asked to reschedule, the District said "No" and chose to let our contract expire instead.

All we are asking is for the District to return to the table and negotiate a contract with us. This strike has gone on for 10 days, they are not talking to us. Why not? Because every day we are on strike they save money. Do they care about their passengers? The Board called an "emergency meeting" .... in six days. SIX DAYS!! SIX DAYS!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! Why next Tuesday, why not tomorrow? Is it because Board members are on vacation? Where are you Mr. Keogh?

There is more bus service in New Orleans than there is in Santa Cruz County. The Board and the District need to get their act together and return to the bargaining table.