An employees’ union that represents drivers and mechanics working for Sioux Area Metro has filed a grievance with the company that manages the system.
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1356 argues that Via Transportation is violating the terms of its collective bargaining contract with the company over its scheduling and classification of drivers. Patrick Baetsle, the president of the ATU 1356, has been meeting with employees this week to address their concerns over scheduling and staffing.
The city ditched its longtime management company for SAM and hired Via in 2024 to revamp the system. The company promised to revolutionize the way the city provides mass transit, including its fixed-route buses and paratransit. Via introduced an on-demand micro-transportation system using vans to augment the fixed route buses, and the company expanded paratransit, a service that had previously only served persons with disabilities.
