Strike Against Akron Metro Averted Again

A strike by Akron Metro Regional Transit Authority workers on Monday has been postponed.

Members of The Transport Workers Union of America Local 1 had been prepared to walk off the job after failing to reach a new contract agreement.

However, the national leadership of the union called off the strike and placed Local 1 into temporary receivership.

A statement released by the union said Local 1 had not given “appropriate notice required to authorize a strike.”

The national office of the union has sent representatives to Akron to investigate the local and to take over the contract negotiations.

Members of Local 1 have been working without a contract since July 31, 2020.

“Many of our members here in Summit County reached out to the international union concerned that the local union’s president is no longer employed by METRO,” said Willie Brown, director of the national union’s transit division. “The strike authorization vote was administered improperly, and adequate notice was not provided to the international union in violation of the TWU constitution.”

Brown said a strike may be necessary late but there may be other options as well.

Union members had been prepared to strike or begin picketing on Nov. 4. The union later set a strike date of Nov. 15.

Tags: Akron Metro Regional Transit Authority, Akron Metro RTA, labor agreements, Labor contracts, labor unions, Public transit, strikes, The Transport Workers Union of America