O.C. bus strike

They followed through on the threat: O.C. bus drivers are now on strike, even as labor talks continue:

Orange County Transportation Authority drivers went on strike early Saturday amid hopes that a return to the bargaining table after the weekend would put commuter buses back on the streets. The strike puts 50 of 81 bus routes out of operation, creating commuter headaches and stranding many of the 200,000 people who depend on the bus system for transportation. Contract talks stalled Friday night after transit agency negotiators said they did not have the authority to boost their offer without the approval of the OCTA board, which was not scheduled to meet until Monday. "We are ready and able to go back to the negotiating table," agency Chairwoman Carolyn Cavecche said. "We’re stumbling on just a few remaining issues." The two sides were apparently one percentage point apart on a wage increase. But last-minute wrangling over the financing of drivers’ pensions had also emerged as a sticking point that doomed negotiations and initiated the strike, Teamsters Local 952 Secretary-President Patrick Kelly said. (AP)