As Pace Suburban Bus and Chicago Public Schools escort bus drivers spend their fourth day on strike, the company that employs them has filed a temporary restraining order against the union.
Nearly 800 SCR Medical Transportation drivers began a strike Friday in efforts to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with the company, said Teamsters Local 727, the union that represents the drivers.
SCR filed a temporary restraining order against Teamsters Local 727 on Monday morning. Union officials said the restraining order was “meritless” and an “attempt to violate the legal right of union members to engage in lawful, peaceful picketing and placarding.”
“These unnecessary expenses are unfortunately common in unfair labor practice strikes, but members should know that this is nothing more than a failed attempt to intimidate the union and antagonize its dedicated employees,” said John Coli Jr., secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 727.
Drivers who transport passengers with disabilities demand fair pay.
Union leaders and SCR officials met with a mediator on Monday, but no progress was made. Negotiations are expected to resume on Tuesday, said Caleen Carter-Patton, a spokeswoman for Teamsters Local 727.
Teamsters Local 727 and the SCR began negotiations on a new contract in April, but despite dozens of meetings, they were unable to reach an agreement.
About 450 Pace drivers have walked off the job. SCR is one of several ADA paratransit service providers at Pace.
Pace said this was not part of the labor dispute and that operations would continue, but passengers should expect longer wait times.
“Service will continue to be offered, but this will likely impact service in the city of Chicago and result in limited capacity and service delays,” said Pace spokeswoman Maggie Daly Skogsbakken.
The agency advised passengers to consider alternative transportation methods, including the Chicago Taxi Access Program and the Rideshare Access Program.
During the strike, Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority will waive fares for ADA paramedical passengers.
To ride for free, passengers must present their ADA Paratransit card and tell the operator or conductor that they are a Pace ADA Paratransit passenger.
Although students will not be able to return to class until Aug. 26, CPS officials said they are working on a plan to minimize student exposure if the strike continues.
“Chicago Public Schools continues to monitor this situation and we encourage the parties to work toward an agreement that ensures qualified students have access to the transportation services they need,” CPS officials said in a statement.
SCR Medical Transportation could not be reached for comment.
