‘The wheels on the bus can’t go around the road without us’: GATRA union workers begin strike

TAUNTON, Mass. (WLNE) — Nearly 150 Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) workers are now on strike.

“The wheels on the bus can’t go around the road without us,” one striking employee chanted.

Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1548 began the strike against the operators of GATRA at 4:30 a.m.

The union announced the strike on Sept. 28, claiming there had been a lack of progress in new contract talks, and that they felt disrespected by management.

Union president Chuck Ryan said that GATRA bus drivers are the third lowest-paid in the state, and he knew of at least two bus drivers who were sleeping in their cars.

Not a single member of the union crossed the picket line.

“When you go on strike, it’s up to you to hold the line, alright? [If] you don’t hold this line… you send a message across this whole union that it could be broke. 13 strikes we’ve had the last three years. We won every one,” one striking employee said.

City councilors Barry Sanders and John McCaul joined the picket line Monday morning as well.

“I’m here to support them because we need to work together, we need to take care of them as families. And they are family, to me, they are family, and I want to be there for them,” McCaul said.

ATU leaders said that they hope that the strike won’t go on too long, and they believe they’re not far from a deal.

“We’re very close, we don’t want to strike. We don’t want to hurt the community we live in, the community we serve. We certainly don’t want to hurt ourselves, but the time for dignity has come, and if we’re that close, help us get there. We want to vote yes on a fair contract. We will not vote yes for a contract that does not bring us economic dignity,” one striking employee said.

In a statement, GATRA confirmed the strike is causing service disruptions.

There is limited service on fixed routes, ADA paratransit, and Dial-A-Ride services run out of GATRA’s Taunton and Wareham office.

A GATRA spokesperson said the company is committed to operating as much service as possible and is prioritizing life-sustaining medical trips.

GATRA released the following full statement on the strike Monday morning:

“The Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) apologizes to our customers and the public for the difficulties the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1548 strike may cause. We want our transit team members at work as much as you do. It is an economic dispute involving competing issues that must somehow be balanced. What’s at stake here is our ability to continue to deliver the services our riders and community rely on.

The operating company KOA has presented the Union with a generous offer that responds in earnest to their concerns about wages, benefits, and the creation of more rewarding job opportunities. Why have Amalgamated Transit Union leaders rejected this offer? Why have they threatened to disrupt the lives of our passengers and citizens? The Amalgamated Transit Union has demanded that we raise wage rates 21% over 3 years (proposed rate increases of 7% each year). KOA has offered 16% over 3 years, with proposed rate increases of 7% (year 1), 5% (year 2) and 4% (year 3).

According to Mary Ellen DeFrias, Administrator, GATRA, “I am sure you appreciate that many of our customers are seniors, young people and those who depend on our transit services to get to doctors’ appointments, work, school and the grocery store. We remain committed to collaborating and achieving a favorable outcome so we are not forced to drop essential service to many of the areas and communities we serve.”DeFrias added, “We have built our reputation as a reliable, safe, convenient, and economical transportation system. We care about our employees and constituents who are our customers.”

If the Amalgamated Transit Union leaders are truly concerned with the best interests of their members, they will recommend this offer for a vote to enable drivers, maintenance employees, call takers and dispatchers/schedulers to consider items they brought forth prior to mediation. If Amalgamated Transit Union leaders are interested in pursuing their own political agenda, then they will prolong the strike. For the sake of our team members and customers, GATRA sincerely hopes they will do the right thing. KOA management has never refused to negotiate. We have always been and continue to be willing to meet, discuss and agree. We met with the Union, along with a mediator, on September 25, 2025 and presented our wage proposal of 7%, 5% and 4% per year, over the next three years. The Union will present their offer to their membership after conducting a strike. Now is the time for us to join together to provide reliable and enhanced bus service to the community. Take a fresh look at the facts. We are ready to go back to the bargaining table at any time.”

Riders can check GATRA’s Facebook page and website for more information.