RT mechanics call in sick

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2008/01/21/daily35.html

Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 4:40 PM PST

About 40 Sacramento Regional Transit mechanics called in sick to work Wednesday morning. All are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245, RT spokesman Ed Scofield said.

The union and RT are in negotiations for a new contract. The mechanics' contract expired officially in October, but the groups agreed to extend the contract with the existing terms until a new agreement is reached.

Wednesday morning supervisors stepped in for refueling and other tasks to make sure the disruptions to bus and light-rail service were minimal, Scofield said. Light rail trains ran as scheduled, but there were about 15 minute delays on bus routes 1 and 51.

"We were able to take care of issue," Scofield said, "and it was business as usual as far as passengers were concerned."

FULL story at link.