Union members at Loudoun County Transit have authorized a potential strike that could impact access to portions of Metro’s new Silver line service.

Ninety-six percent of the members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 voted to strike if necessary. Members include some of the transit workers that will help connect commuters to the new Silver Line Phase II stations in Loudoun County – over 140 fixed route and commuter bus operators, mechanics, and paratransit drivers.

The union alleges Keolis, the private contractor that employs them, has failed to adequately staff in preparation for the opening of Silver Line Phase II because their wages and benefits are the lowest for a transit agency in the region. They also claim Keolis has been delaying progress at the bargaining table and is violating federal labor law.

“A strike could dramatically impact the region. We’ve seen time and time again that thousands of commuters rely on the daily work of our members to help move the riding public,” Political & Communications Director for ATU Local 689 Brian Wivell told DCist/WAMU. “All of this could have been resolved months ago, well before the Silver Line phase two opening, if the company had been serious about bargaining in good faith.”

Loudoun County Transit workers have been employed by Keolis since April of 2021.  After learning that their employees were holding a strike vote, the union says Keolis proposed a agreement that would have prohibited them from striking.  “We believe that this pattern of behavior demonstrates how unserious Keolis is about reaching a fair agreement or trying to provide reliable transit service to the riding public,” ATU Local 689 said in a press release.

“At a time when transit authorities across the country are scrambling to address operator shortages with better wages and benefits, Keolis seems to be the only one in this region with its head in the sand,” Raymond Jackson, President and Business Agent for ATU Local 689 said the release.

“Together, Keolis and representatives from ATU have held numerous meetings on employees’ collective bargaining agreement, and we look forward to continuing those negotiations in a productive manner,” a Keolis spokesperson said via email. “Our commitment will always be to support the well-being of our employees and provide safe and reliable transit services to our passengers.”