ATU 627 Cincinnati Metro Bus Drivers Angry Over New Sick Policy

ATU 627 Cincinnati Metro Bus Drivers Angry Over New Sick Policy

http://www.local12.com/news/local/story/Metro-Bus-Drivers-Angry-Over-New...

Published: 1/15 12:30 pm

Updated: 1/15 1:26 pm

Angry bus drivers packed a Metro Board

meeting today --- frustrated with a new

sick policy that went into effect on January 7th. Local 12's Tiffany Wilson spoke to the driver's union and a Metro spokesperson. 

The meeting ended on a positive note --- with leadershipfrom the union and Metro agreeing to sit down within the next week to discuss the new policy and potentially make changes. 

The new attendance policy is a hot button issue for drivers. About 20 percent of Metro's 500 drivers crowded into the board room this morning. In the past, drivers could take off up to two days per month or 24 days per year without losing their jobs. Metro says that created an atmosphere that allowed for absenteeism and about 16 percent of its drivers called off everyday. 

The new policy was created to discourage absenteeism. It allows eight instances per year --- but it's more complicated that than. For example, if a driver is sick for eight days in a row, they're only docked two days. 

Because of the huge turnout this morning, both sides plan to meet again to find a solution that's mutually acceptable. Metro says they created the new policy to save taxpayer dollars.