A two-week strike by public transportation workers has come to an end in Mississippi’s capital city with the union’s demands being met.
On Tuesday, the Amalgamated Transit Union’s local chapter, on behalf of JTRAN employees, reached a tentative agreement with contractor MV Transportation that meets the union’s requirements for fair pay, job security, safety improvements, and strong benefits.
The agreement follows months of failed negotiations between the JTRAN workers union, Amalgamated Transit, and MV, which ultimately came to a head with workers from Jackson’s public transportation system staging a strike that began on September 4.
Sources close to the situation told SuperTalk Mississippi News that JTRAN workers claimed to have been punished for taking time off of work, missing work for previously scheduled medical appointments, and asking for future days off. Those concerns have since been remedied with the agreement between the union and the passenger transportation contracting firm.
“Our members stood strong and united throughout this process. MV tried to divide us,” Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1208 President Charles Tornes, Jr. said. “This strike shows that our members are willing to lay it all on the line for justice. I want to thank our riders, elected officials, and all our allies for coming out and standing with us.”
Per a press release, Amalgamated Transit Union International President John Costa traveled to Jackson to join the strikers on the picket lines to put pressure on MV Transportation to settle this contract.
To help end the strike, Costa also met with Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Jackson City Attorney Drew Martin, and staff. The goal was to have city leaders use their influence to urge MV Transportation, which took over JTRAN in January, to agree to the contract proposal and honor its demands.
“I am proud of our JTRAN members who were willing to go to the mat to fight for their contract and a better transit system for their riders. On the picket lines, I saw firsthand their strength, unity, and solidarity,” Costa said. “I want to thank Mayor Lumumba for his efforts to get this deal for our members and the riders who rely on JTRAN. Our members are frontline heroes and can now get back to the job of keeping Jackson moving safely and reliably. It was an honor to hold the line with you. We are ‘Stronger Together!’”
The city of Jackson will hold a news conference on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at City Hall to share more details about the contract agreement and JTRAN’s plans moving forward.
