Capital Metro bus strike looms

AUSTIN (KXAN) - With the Formula 1 events just around the corner, the Capital Metro bus drivers union, by an 86 percent vote, have authorized a strike if negotiations do not go well with their new management group in Fort Worth.

Capital Metro runs 79 lines. A strike would affect 500 workers.

McDonald Transit took over the union's management in August.

Since then, the Amalgamated Transit Union says McDonald has been trying to force out veteran drivers for new hires whose top pay would be $4 less an hour. The union also says McDonald is not honoring the current contract already in place.

"McDonald came in and said they were not honoring the contract. They were tossing it out," said union president Jay Wyatt. "It's part of CapMetro's efforts to bust the union going back to 2005.

A strike would not only affect F1 visitors but locals who rely on the buses.

"I don't know what we would do. I need that bus to get to work every day, to get my children to the nursery," said Melissa Allen.

The last time Capital Metro bus drivers went on strike? In November 2008 for three days. The union says it doesn't know where talks stand with McDonald.

Now, the F1 clock is ticking.