Retirement Security Issue Holding Up New Fairfax Connector Deal

​More than 500 Fairfax Connector bus drivers and mechanics are now working without a contract after their previous contract expired at midnight last Wednesday. Their union, ATU 1764, will hold a press conference this afternoon to outline next steps. The union refused to extend the contract, arguing that doing so would send the message that MV was being reasonable about reaching a settlement, "which it is not." Union leaders say the biggest issue is retirement security. "We are the only county workers who will devote their lives to Fairfax and walk away with nothing to retire on," said Sesil Rubain, ATU Local 1764 trustee. Adding insult to injury, Rubain says that union members forfeited a 2% pay raise in 2012 to help fund the still non-existent pension plan. "MV has pocketed taxpayer money and the workers' deferred raises and is sending the profits back to Texas. It's unconscionable."