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Transit union raises questions about leave payout, job security as city transitions operations
Summary
Transit union president and council members pressed administration about how accrued leave, payouts, tax implications and staffing will be handled as operations transition from Transdev to Via/Port City Transit; administration said Via plans to add staff and that accrued balances will be paid out under existing contract terms.
The Mobile City Council heard questions Sept. 9 from transit workers and council members about employee protections and accrued leave as the city's contracted transit operator transitions operations.
Antoni Maven, president of the transit union, asked whether accumulated sick and vacation balances would be preserved when Via takes over operations and whether payouts would push employees into higher tax brackets. “These people have to start our way back over here if you pay them out,” Maven said, describing workers with large sick‑leave banks and expressing concern about losing accrued protections.
City officials responded that the parties—Transdev (the current contractor) and Via (the incoming operator)—have indicated employees will not be laid off and that Via intends to add staff. Scott, the executive director of finance, said accrued balances are expected to be paid out under the existing Transdev contract at the time of final separation, and that when employees join Via on Oct. 1 they would continue to earn vacation and sick time at accrual rates tied to their seniority; they would not “start over,” administration said.
Officials described a choice in the negotiations between paying accrued balances in a final Transdev paycheck or transferring cash into another holding arrangement; the city said that liability is a matter between the private contractors. Council members asked whether the city could require a different handling of those funds; legal and administrative staff said the employees are private‑sector workers for the contractor, limiting direct city authority over contractor employment decisions.
Why it matters: Transit employees and union leadership sought clarity about pay, leave and job continuity ahead of the Oct. 1 transition date. The outcome affects workers' taxes, short‑term leave availability and long‑term employment terms under a private contractor.
What comes next: Council members requested additional written answers and historical precedent on prior transitions. The council laid related procurement and operations items over for further committee consideration; administration said it will continue discussions with the contractors and the union.
