Nevada AFL-CIO Stands in Solidarity with Teamsters Local 533 Workers
Las Vegas, Nev. — Today, the Nevada AFL-CIO released a statement in support of Teamsters Local 533 members, who have been granted a strike sanction from the Northern Nevada Central Labor Council (NNCLC) in the wake of transgressions against workers from Washoe County Keolis Transit, the for-profit operator of the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC).
The current Teamsters 533 union contract expires at the end of June 2021, and the Nevada AFL-CIO calls on Keolis Transit to come to the table and negotiate a new, fair contract with Teamsters 533.
“Every worker deserves the right to feel protected, respected, and supported on the job—and the Nevada AFL-CIO completely supports our brothers and sisters in labor of Teamsters 533 as they fight for a fair contract and improved working conditions against Keolis Transit,” said Rusty McAllister, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Nevada AFL-CIO. “These bus drivers and transportation workers kept our communities moving before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, putting their safety, and the safety of their families, on the line as Keolis refused to create a safe work environment. These essential workers deserve far better and deserve an opportunity to address these issues at the bargaining table. We implore Keolis to work in good faith to meet the needs of these workers, and wholeheartedly support Teamsters 533 in their efforts to secure and uphold a fair contract as their current agreement comes up for negotiations.”
Last week, the NNCLC of the state federation unanimously passed a strike sanction resolution for Teamsters 533. The resolution came on the heels of numerous transgressions against workers committed by Keolis, including failing to pay more than $50,000 in 2019 worker health insurance premiums; paying strikebreakers; refusing to implement local, state, and federal mask and social distancing COVID-19 requirements and ordering drivers not to enforce these measures under threat of firing; and refusing to give the union information on the dozens of employees who contracted COVID-19, at least two of whom were admitted to intensive care.