AB214 Increases Occupational Safety for
Transit Workers
RENO,
Nev., June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters
Local 533 is commending the signing of Assembly Bill 214 (AB 214)
into state law by Nevada Gov.
Joe Lombardo. AB 214 will increase
safety for transit workers by requiring transit authorities to save
security footage for 10 days. It also requires them to appoint
worker representatives to Transportation Resource Advisory
Committees (TRACs), which make policy recommendations to the
transit authorities.
"In recent years assaults on our bus drivers have increased, and
prior to this, footage was only being saved for 24 to 48 hours in
some cases," said Debbie Calkins,
Local 533 Secretary-Treasurer. "This is a big step in helping to
prevent and stop assaults on our drivers. AB 214 was supported by
both Democrats and Republicans, showing just how important this
issue is. We'd especially like to thank Assemblywoman Natha Anderson for authoring this
legislation."
In 2021, Teamsters Local 533 went on three separate Unfair Labor
Practice strikes for a combined 60 days against the contractor for
the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County, Keolis Transit. The strikes led
to Calkins and Local 533 President Gary
Watson to work with Anderson, former Northern Nevada Central
Labor Council (NNCLC) President Mike
Pilcher, and recently elected NNCLC President Ross Kinson to craft legislation that would put
forward better safety measures for the drivers and provide an
avenue for workers to have a voice at the table.
"RTC officials didn't intervene to address the issues that led
to the strike, so Local 533 members got AB 214 passed. Now, our
voices have to be heard," said Gary
Watson, President of Teamsters Local 533. "Local 533 members
are even more empowered on the job through this legislation, and
Nevada transit operators will be
better off now that they have the insight of workers' regarding
day-to-day operations."
Chartered in 1934, Teamsters Local 533 represents about 2,500
workers various trades throughout northern Nevada and eastern California, including about 220 RTC/Keolis
employees. For more information, go to
http://teamsters533.org/.
Contact:
Gary
Watson, (775) 348-6060 ext. 104
gary@teamsters533.org
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SOURCE Teamsters Local 533