And the agency was riven with racial tension and low morale.” Six days after the County’s lawyer told him “Appropriate action will be taken” Wiggins contacted RTA NOLA. Before that Wiggins was hired by Metra, a commuter train service in Chicago. The investigation concluded that Wiggin had”engaged in abusive, humiliating, demeaning behavior….

lawyers conducted an investigation into complaints of hostile work environment, sexual abuse and retaliation. He comes from Los Angeles Metro as Chief of Security. Wiggins was hired in 2019 at a salary of $225,000. Who is Alex Wiggins? RTA Commissioners Have a Lot to Answer for.

Wiggins is using a common union busting tactic. Currently the union is in contract negotiations with RTA and clearly Wiggins wants to weaken the union by this illegal internal interference. Wiggins now illegally refuses to acknowledge Jefferson as a union representative. In her position as union president Jefferson talked to Wiggins and demanded enforcement of the agreement. RTA CEO Alex Wiggins tried to renege on this agreement.

President Jefferson is a 27-year driver, continued to drive a bus after her election.Īfter Ida the union negotiated a written agreement for drivers to get lodging, meals and a hurricane bonus. Putting aside their own emergencies and families’, drivers worked 12-hour days to both transport vulnerable seniors and saved lives by using buses as cooling centers. After Ida struck, President Jefferson put out the call for drivers to come in for emergency help to communities. Under the leadership of the first woman union president, Valerie Jefferson, demands for hazard pay and safer conditions for drivers and riders were fought for and won. The RTA Board is non-elected and resisted Covid-19 related health and safety for drivers. 400 unionized RTA drivers, dispatchers, clerks, tellers, routers, ride line operators, reservationist, cleaners and dispatcher have also demanded more buses, routes and greater frequency especially for the Black working-class neighborhoods of New Orleans. As gentrification and income inequality continue to ravage the Black community this union stands as a beacon to the power of collective struggle of Black workers to obtain living wage jobs with benefits. CALL the City of New Orleansīus drivers, members of ATU L. please do not get angry with the Rideline Operators and the Bus Driver. CALL the City of New Orleans.īUSES ARE CROWED!.

Regional Transit Authority 'RTA' of New Orleans did NOT honor the agreement with Bus Drivers for Hurricane IDAĪTU Local 1560 and RTA has a SIGNED agreement for hurricane IDA pay.

Rta new orleans