More workers at the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority may be joining a union. Sixteen operations supervisors with RFTA say they’re interested in either starting their own chapter, or joining one created this spring by full time bus drivers. About half of supervisors also spend some working hours behind the wheel.
“They joined in support of the drivers, and our efforts to achieve collective bargaining with RFTA,” says Ed Cortez, President of the new union chapter, the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1774 Aspen. “They support our cause, and wish to follow the same model.”
Cortez has stressed that he and other drivers want to negotiate wages and other workplace matters with RFTA’s leadership, but in a civil manner. He raised concerns Thursday that RFTA may hire an attorney with a track record of being more combative. RFTA did not return an immediate request for comment Thursday night.