Universal Studios Strikers Reject Offer
Universal Studios Tour drivers and mechanics remained on strike Tuesday after narrowly rejecting the latest management offer, which included slightly higher wages for some tram drivers.
Earl Bush, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 399, which represents 120 tour workers, said the close vote--the offer was turned down 48 to 37 late Monday night--could mean an end to the strike is near.
“It’s not close to what we wanted,” Bush said, “but it was close to what the people would accept.”
Bush said a federal mediator is expected to call a meeting this week, at which time lingering disputes might be resolved.
The management offer included a yearly pay boost of 10 cents an hour for a group of newly hired drivers, who union leaders say are now paid $15.08 an hour. That wage is $2.50 less than that for drivers hired before August, 1985.
The union had called for an end to the two-tier system, Bush said, and “as a minimum, a cost-of-living raise each year.”
Universal Studios management was not available for comment.
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