Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LA Metro’s Bike Share Workforce Has Voted To Unionize
Photo via Metro Bike Share/Facebook
()
Workers at the private company that manages Los Angeles County Metro’s bike share network will form a union following an election Thursday.
Employees at Bicycle Transit Services (BTS) voted 22 to 11 in favor of joining the Transport Workers Union, or TWU. BTS employs roughly 60 people in L.A., including mechanics, dispatchers and technicians, who manage and maintain Metro’s fleet of roughly 1,400 bikes and 240 stations.
Workers said they want to see wages that reflect the importance of their labor and factor in the cost of living in L.A. They’ve also called for better roadside protections in the field and the opportunity for a career path in the bike share industry.
“There is an ongoing wave of unionization at bikeshare systems in cities across the country, and L.A. Metro is just the latest example of bikeshare workers realizing that they can win better wages and benefits at the bargaining table if they stand together,” said TWU President John Samuelsen. “We are eager to help grow this vital transportation system and prove that these jobs can be good, long-term careers.”
Support for LAist comes from
Last month, workers at the company filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to join TWU, but BTS’ leadership did not voluntarily recognize the union, forcing the election.
We spoke with a few bike share workers and the company’s CEO last week ahead of the vote. You can read that story here.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist