November 7th 2022: A little bit of good news concerning the ongoing mechanics strike is bus service has returned today and, tomorrow to let people get to the polling stations to vote. The reprieve is only a temporary one as the mechanics could walk out at any time but the talks between them and the OCTA are continuing.
If no deal is made the service could stop running again Wednesday, which would mean more suffering for mainly lower income riders of OC Bus. The current offer by OCTA would in a top wage of $43.19 for a journeyman mechanic which is nearly $90,000 not including healthcare and pension contributions.
The mechanics strike is a disgrace the majority of OC Bus riders make less than $50,000 a year, most a lot less to threaten peoples jobs because they are unable to reach them through no fault of their own is just wrong. I wonder how much private companies pay for the same mechanics job, holding innocent riders hostage over an extended strike is inexcusable.
