Paratransit drivers for Pace Suburban Bus and Chicago Public Schools went on strike Friday, delaying service for some transit riders with disabilities and health conditions.
The drivers, employed by SCR Medical Transportation, walked out on strike at 3 a.m. amid attempts to reach a labor contract with the company, Teamsters Local 727, the union that represents the drivers, said in a statement.
About 800 drivers walked out, said Caleen Carter-Patton, business manager for the union. About 450 of those drivers work with Pace, she said.
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Pace would continue to maintain service, but wait times might be longer, spokeswoman Maggie Daly Skogsbakken said. SCR is one of several paratransit providers in the city, she said.
The agency, which said it is not part of the labor dispute, asked passengers to postpone nonessential trips or use alternative services like the Taxi Access Program and Rideshare Access Program, which allow eligible riders to take taxi or rideshare trips subsidized by Pace.
“We are focused on maintaining service for some of our most vulnerable passengers, and we are hopeful that an agreement will be reached as soon as possible,” Skogsbakken said in an email.
The paratransit program, required by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, is open to certified riders with a disability or health condition that prevents them from riding traditional CTA or Pace buses and trains.
The strike also affects CPS paratransit bus drivers, though school does not start until late August. CPS officials said in a statement they were monitoring the strike.
“We encourage the parties to work toward an agreement that ensures qualified students have access to the transportation services that they need,” the officials said.
The SCR paratransit drivers voted to unionize with the Teamsters in January 2024, according to the union. They have been working to negotiate a contract for months, and talks broke down Thursday night, the Teamsters said.
The union walked out on strike alleging the company has violated their labor rights. Their negotiations have come down to compensation issues like wages, and the union believes the drivers make less than other operators doing the same work, Carter-Patton said, characterizing their salaries as “poverty wages.”
Other drivers are handling routes typically driven by the striking members, the union said.
In a statement, SCR said it was “committed to providing school transportation and paratransit services for those who rely on us, without service disruptions.”
“SCR is dedicated to providing safe and reliable transportation for our schools and communities, and values and respects our hardworking employees,” the company said in a statement. “We remain focused on reaching a fair and equitable agreement to fulfill our commitment to both our employees and communities and are hopeful that we can return to the bargaining table as soon as possible to resume negotiations.”