Golden Empire Transit District has been notified that union employees are planning to strike Tuesday, July 15

Golden Empire Transit District has been notified that
union employees are planning to strike Tuesday, July 15

Golden Empire Transit District, (GET) has been negotiating a new contract with Teamsters Local Union #517 since January, 2014. The current contract extension will end Tuesday, July 15. GET was notified today that the union is planning to strike on July 15.

GET officials are willing to continue discussions 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.

In the event of a strike, GET will endeavor to provide curb to curb service to those customers who are dependent on transportation for serious medical needs. Fixed route service will be suspended.

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.