Union wants bus drivers to be armed

Local 998 cites security concerns in negotiations

Citing concerns over security on buses, the transit union representing bus drivers and mechanics wants drivers with concealed carry permits to be armed on the bus.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998 announced the proposal Thursday in the midst of protracted contract negotiations with the Milwaukee County Transit System.

The union also released a May 20 letter from union President James Macon to Nate Holton, the MCTS director of diversity and inclusion, asking that bus drivers be in areas closed off from the general public and that MCTS notify the union of major incidents, accidents or assaults through a dispatcher or management. The union added the concealed carry demand Thursday.

“Mr. Macon’s public demand to arm MCTS bus drivers is an irresponsible proposal,” MCTS Director of Marketing and Communications Kristina Hoffman said in a statement. “Our next negotiation date is June 3 and we will address all contract issues at that time.”

Last week, a 24-year-old woman was charged with stabbing a Milwaukee County Transit System bus driver after refusing to pay the $2.25 fare. The driver sustained a laceration on his arm.

Contract talks between the union and MCTS have been going on for more than a year. The two sides have not reached agreement on key issues of wages and health benefits. System management offered to enter open arbitration, a process by which an arbitrator would not be bound by the terms of either side’s last offer. Macon has said he will not go to arbitration.