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Labor negotiations are currently underway between CATS' contractor Transit Management of Charlotte (TMOC) and the Teamsters Union representing Bus Operators in the CATS Bus Operations Division. The contract between the two parties expires at midnight on January 31. The parties started negotiating in December. It is not clear yet in this early stage whether the parties will be able to reach agreement on a new contract before expiration of the old agreement. If they don't, they could extend the old agreement while continuing to negotiate, which has been done in the past. Or, the union could decide to undertake a job action.
In the event that negotiators fail to reach a new agreement and a strike occurs, we could see some disruption to bus services in Charlotte and the surrounding counties. CATS' staff has been working on contingency plans should a labor stoppage occur. These plans include trying to run as much service as possible with available personnel and possibly alternative service providers to serve in particular those people without transportation alternatives that need to get to work and medical appointments. The plans also include extensive public information efforts.
The City is not a party to these negotiations but remains concerned about what transpires. We are hopeful that the parties will be able to resolve any differences and work out an agreement that is fair to the employees of TMOC and protects the interests of the public and CATS' customers both in the short and long term.
The City has been notified that the Norfolk Southern Railroad will be conducting track maintenance in Charlotte from January 11 through 16, unless there are unforeseen problems or inclement weather. The work will begin in Charlotte east of Donald Ross Road and progress northeasterly to north of Sugar Creek Road. The railroad company is unable to provide exact date and time for each location. Affected locations are:
East Sugar Creek Road
Raleigh Street
West Craighead Road
East 36th Street
11th Street and Seaboard Street
9th Street
West Summit Road
Berryhill Road
Each year, track maintenance creates congestion at some locations. Because the rail company is unable to be more specific about dates and times, we anticipate a similar experience this year.
Lynn Weis with Preserve Elmwood/Pinewood Cemeteries (PEP) is working with a group from Hands On Charlotte to do some pruning and cleanup of wild growth in Elmwood/Pinewood Cemeteries. This work will take place on Monday, January 15. Cemetery staff will be onsite to oversee the work. Mr.Weis will also be assisting Hands on Charlotte.
