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."
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."
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