SEIU Local 721 and Gold Coast workers organized a press conference/rally this past Thursday, August 11, 2011. There were over 100 attendees including passengers, Gold Coast Transit workers and their families, community members, and SEIU staff.
Drivers and SEIU staff distributed thousands of information flyers at bus stops, reached out to the Spanish language radio waves, and spoke with community groups to rally support for drivers and to reach out to board members.
One message rang loud and clear – the community was there to support Gold Coast Transit workers who have been working without a contract since October of 2010.
“We want our contract signed. We’ve gone almost a whole year without a contract and that’s ridiculous,” Bus driver Debbie Grajeda told a TV reporter at the rally.
Emergency Board Meeting
Earlier that day, there had been an emergency Gold Coast Transit board meeting. It was a closed meeting with a public comments section at the beginning. Several passengers spoke in support of Gold Coast Drivers as did Cameron Yee from Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE). In his statement, Yee called transportation an “important part of economic and social justice.”
Negotiations Continue
As a result of the public pressure placed on Gold Coast Transit, the board chose to reopen negotiations, even after having declared its Last Best and Final offer. The negotiations team met with Gold Coast Transit for an early Saturday morning session and there was good progress on key issues. Members will be updated on the negotiations progress at a union meeting on Saturday, August 20th from 6pm to 7:30pm.
Related links:
>> Press Conference/Rally photos on Flickr