New Flyer Workers Authorize Strike

Originally published 11:30 a.m. April 5th, 2022

Updated 12:35 p.m. April 5th, 2022

(KNSI) — Employees and members of the Communications Workers of America at New Flyer Incorporated in St. Cloud voted this week to authorize a strike if necessary.

There are 462 staff members at the plant in St. Cloud. They manufacture and supply electric, diesel, hybrid, and compressed natural gas public transit buses for cities across the country, including New York City, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, and New Jersey Transit.

The vote passed with 97% saying yes. Employees claim the bus manufacturing company is dragging its feet in negotiating a fair contract. They are asking for wage increases to account for inflation, paid sick leave, and paid time off for religious holidays. A substantial group of workers observes Eid, which in Arabic means festival or feast, and there are two per year. One is at the end of Ramadan, the holiest month of the year in the Muslim calendar. The other is at the end of Hajj, or the annual religious pilgrimage to Mecca. The days off for Eid observers would act as additional paid time off for the other workers. They also put forth a proposal to make Juneteenth a paid holiday.

Employees say they’re trying to avoid a strike but are frustrated because all they ask for is fair pay and more time off to spend with their families and friends. The company also reportedly does not have paid sick time and are barred from taking vacation time due to production demands.

The facility produced about 24 buses a week and maintained close to 700 workers. With its current staffing levels, workers at the St. Cloud facility are only producing ten buses a week, and say New Flyer is asking to nearly double those numbers. The company regularly mandates Saturday overtime, frequently denying vacation requests and ignoring the need for a work-life balance.

Officials with New Flyer responded to our request for comment saying, “We can confirm the CWA local union in St. Cloud has received a strike mandate from their membership. There currently isn’t a strike action taking place and we are negotiating with our union partners. At this time, it would be inappropriate to comment further on those ongoing discussions.”

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