Transit operators and union raise contract and service concerns during public forum

During public forum, representatives of Knoxville Area Transit and the Amalgamated Transit Union raised labor and operational concerns and urged council attention.

Laura Parrott, president of the ATU with CAT, Local 1164, said the union believes management is not bargaining in good faith and that employees remain without a contract. "They—re not bargaining in good faith and we don't have a contract," she said.

Bus operator Melissa Stukesbury, who said she has worked for Knoxville Area Transit for about 18 years, told the council that grievances have been filed alleging violations of the union-company contract and that a substantial number of long-term employees have been terminated. "With so many employees being terminated, other employees are afraid to step forward, to speak up, in fear of losing their jobs," she said, and asked the council to look into operator concerns and contract compliance.

Community member Bart Gibbons addressed broader service changes under the transit —reimagine— process. He criticized the removal of the long-standing free trolley system, the lengthening of distances between stops and the perceived shift of service toward corridors the speaker said aligned with council priorities. He also said some disabled passengers have been left with long waits for dialysis trips since route changes.

Speakers asked whether the council considers public transit a service for all residents or primarily an element to support other development goals. There was no council action recorded during the public forum segment; speakers asked for further oversight and investigation by council and staff.