With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
OC Bus Workers Are On Strike. OCTA Officials Say No Bus Service Starting Thursday
A strike by OCTA bus workers is now underway.
(
Courtesy OCTA
)
Topline:
Maintenance workers with the Orange County Transportation Authority are now officially on strike.
Who is affected: OCTA officials said the strike began Wednesday afternoon in a news release sent shortly before 5 p.m. Bus service will stop beginning tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 3. According to OCTA, about 85% of passengers use the bus as their primary means of transportation.
What OCTA is saying: They say bus riders should plan alternative travel and check octa.net for service updates. One important note: "ACCESS service for those with disabilities will continue as usual."
Sponsored message
What's at issue: OCTA officials and Teamsters Local 952, the union representing bus workers, have met more than 20 times to try to resolve issues around salaries and benefits. The existing contract expired Sept. 30. After confirming the strike was underway, OCTA officials said they remain "willing to meet with the union at any point."
Go deeper:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
