CALIFORNIA: Two unions to cross drivers’ picket lines in L.A. strike

LOS ANGELES -- Transit mechanics and maintenance supervisors broke ranks with striking bus and rail drivers on Monday, announcing they would return to work for one week in hopes of ending a walkout that has stranded 450,000 commuters.

Union officials representing 1,861 mechanics and 494 maintenance and operations supervisors said they would be on the job Tuesday. Their decision does not mean Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses and trains will begin rolling; it could, however, speed the return of normal service if and when the drivers settle.

"I think it’s a mistake," said James Williams, general chairman of the United Transportation Union, whose 4,300 bus and rail operators walked out Sept. 16. He said drivers would not interfere if mechanics and supervisors cross picket lines.

Neil Silver, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, said mechanics and supervisors remained united with drivers in their demands and warned the MTA to make meaningful offers.

Oran McMichael, regional director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said supervisors believe the return to work will pressure the MTA.

"Our thought is that by going back in it puts the ball in the MTA’s court to get this done as soon as possible," McMichael said.

Mayor Richard Riordan, a member of the MTA board of directors, said he was optimistic both sides wanted to end the strike soon.

The developments in the transit walkout came amid widening labor action in the private and public sectors.

Workers who issue marriage licenses and catch stray dogs and cats staged a one-day walkout Monday in the first of a series of rolling strikes by the union representing 47,000 Los Angeles County employees.

About 900 workers struck animal control facilities and the Department of Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. If no agreement is reached, other departments will be struck daily, leading to a general strike on Oct. 11, union officials said.

Marriage licenses, deeds and other services, including voter registration, were on hold as Service Employees International Union Local 660 struck the county clerk’s division. Welfare offices, public works and children’s services were targeted for Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the commercial actors strike lengthened to 155 days, and package delivery by Airborne Express was hindered as locally subcontracted drivers walked out Monday. More than 200 drivers have been in talks with two companies.

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