City Urging Residents To Have A 'Plan B' If COTA Workers Strike

City officials met Tuesday to discuss a Plan B for residents as a public transportation strike looms.

The Transportation Workers Union Local #208 filed an intent to strike on June 22, 10TV's Danielle Elias reported. Union President Andrew Jordan said that a key issue centered around equal pay for equal work.

Jordan said that it takes seven years for transportation workers to receive top pay and said that in many cases, a worker can do the same job, have the same skill set and make less than the person working next to him.

If an agreement is not reached, the strike could affect those trying to get downtown via COTA bus for fireworks on July 3.

If workers do strike, city officials said that residents would need to be prepared.

Nichole Parker said that she rides COTA buses every day.

“To and from doctors’ appointments, going to my sister’s up north,” Parker said.

Ruth Garnes said that she uses the COTA buses to go to the gym and take care of other business.

“COTA means a lot to me,” Garnes said.

Garnes said that she hoped COTA drivers would not strike.

“I pray every day that God helps the drivers and the union come to some resolution so we won’t have this problem in Columbus, because a lot of people rely on the Columbus buses to get to and from places every day,” Garnes said.

Since there is no other form of public transportation in the city, officials suggested residents be patient during the fireworks display and try carpooling, Elias reported.

Officials also urged drivers to be cautious of the Interstate 670/Interstate 71 construction. Drivers should remember that there is no parking along the freeway.

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