James Macon, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, speaking about the bus drivers’ concerns at a county committee meeting. Chuck Quirmbach/WPR
Whether employees have adequate time to use the restroom remains a contentious issue between bus drivers and transit system managers in Milwaukee County.
Bus drivers and mechanics for the Milwaukee County Transit System approved a new contract this fall, but the drivers union says the county’s transit operator has been slow to create a committee to study the adequacy of driver bathroom breaks.
Stay informed on the latest news
Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.
Driver Sandra Cooper said some of her breaks at the end of a route only last four minutes.
“I have four minutes to get passengers off my bus, check my bus to make sure nobody has left anything or nobody is still on there sleeping … four minutes to do that, plus go to the bathroom, plus try to eat something,” she said.
The transit system has said the average bathroom break for drivers is seven minutes.
System managers say a bathroom task force will have its first meeting Dec. 18. The drivers union has said it worries the task force will ignore workers’ concerns.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
