News Release
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gina D. Hayden (661) 324-9874
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2014
Golden Empire Transit District prepares for strike on Tuesday, July 15 Golden Empire Transit District, (GET) negotiated with union officials through the weekend. However, late Sunday evening union officials ended talks and indicated GET employees would strike at 12:01 AM Tuesday.
GET has offered work to any employee who reports for work on Tuesday.
During the strike, GET will endeavor to provide GET-A-Lift paratransit service to those customers who are dependent on transportation for serious medical needs. Fixed route service may be suspended. The level of service provided in the coming days will depend on the number of employees reporting for work. GET will provide regular updates on its webpage, getbus.org, and on its facebook and twitter pages.
GET officials are willing to continue discussions at any time in the hopes of reaching an agreement. However, the District’s revenue projections from government sources are uncertain for this year and the near future. The District must balance expenses within the confines of projected revenue.
We know this poses considerable difficulty for our customers. It is our hope that we will be able to reconvene discussions with the union and any cessation of service will be very brief.
Golden Empire Transit District (GET) was formed in 1973 and serves the Bakersfield Metropolitan area which is 160 square miles. GET has a fleet of 88 compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET services 16 routes, which operate 7 days a week and transport approximately 7 million passengers each year with its fixed route buses. In addition GET operates 19 compressed natural gas GET-A-Lift buses.
GET strike
