City of Jackson temporarily shuts down JTRAN after workers go on strike, citing unfair treatment

According to a statement from the city of Jackson, JTRAN is temporarily closed after dozens of Amalgamated Transit Union workers went on strike Wednesday morning.

Protesters from the ATU (Amalgamated Transit Union) held a picket outside JTRAN’s headquarters on Interstate 80 around 3 a.m. Wednesday. That’s typically the first time JTRAN employees clock in to start their day.

Jackson city officials said contract negotiations between the JTRAN bus drivers union and management company MV Transportation Inc. had “broken down.” That led to the strike.

Protesters said they were demanding a safer work environment with better benefits for employees, citing workplace issues such as safety concerns, contract negotiations and unfair firings.

Valerie Jefferson, head of the ATU’s Southwest International Black Caucus, came from Louisiana to participate in the strike, saying workers have an impact on everyone when safety measures are required. Jefferson said city leaders need to be aware of the issue.

“The public, as well as politicians like the mayor and city council, should be informed about the companies they have hired to manage the operation of public transport and how they treat their employees. They must hold these companies accountable for how they treat their employees, the working environment and the conditions of travel on the buses.”

“When the company takes care of the driver, the driver will take care of the city. That’s the main thing.”

See the impact on runners: Bus shortage in Jackson forces JTRAN to use paratransit buses as spares.

Since January 2024, when MV Transportation took over the JTRAN contract for the city of Jackson, a point system has been in place. While employees do get sick days, they receive one point for every sick day they take. Six points and you’re fired, they say.

“The most important thing is safety. There are not enough drivers and it’s not safe for customers,” said Amanda Johnson, a 30-year JTRAN employee.

The latest news of an alleged strike began in May, when the city warned residents of a possible strike after JTRAN bus services stopped again. In late July, the JTRAN union said a strike “within the next 30 days is on the horizon,” despite Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba saying “nothing is down right now.”

JTRAN employees said they wanted Wednesday’s strike to attract the attention of senior management by not working until their demands are met, meaning there will be no active bus lines for an indefinite period.

“We are deeply disappointed that the union has chosen to go on strike, placing an unnecessary burden on those who rely on our services to get to work, school and vital appointments,” a MV Transportation representative said in a statement. “Despite these false statements, we have engaged in constructive negotiations to resolve outstanding issues toward a collective agreement between MV and the union. Through these efforts, we have reached agreement on dozens of issues and have only one provision of the collective agreement remaining unresolved.”

According to MV Transportation, the ATU made a number of inaccurate accusations and the company has attempted to correct the record. The company said it believes that certain unsafe behaviors, such as striking a pedestrian while driving, failing to properly secure a wheelchair passenger or causing a fatality, are considered unsafe and will result in termination.

“We adhere to these very reasonable standards at more than 100 locations across the United States. That’s why we provide the safest possible service to our customers; we believe that Jackson residents deserve the same standards of safety and protection,” the statement read. “Our top priority is the safety of our passengers, employees and fellow Jacksonians, and the standards that ensure that safety must take precedence over the work of anyone who violates those safety standards.”

MV Transportation said it will cooperate with JTRAN and city officials to provide service appropriately.

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City officials released the following statement shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday:

“The City is fully aware of the significant impact this is having on our community. We encourage both parties to return to the negotiating table and uphold their responsibilities to the residents who depend on them. We hope that negotiations will resume soon and lead to a fair and timely resolution. In the meantime, we must inform you that JTRAN is temporarily closed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding and patience during this difficult time. The safety of our drivers and passengers remains our top priority and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

This article was originally published on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS JTRAN Union Strikes Shut Down Bus Service