By the edhat staff
August 1, 2025
Santa Barbara MTD and Teamsters Local 186 (Teamsters) have agreed to a 45-day contract extension, allowing bus service to continue to operate normally.
MTD and the Teamsters have also agreed to a state-mediated contract proposal, and a vote on that contract by Teamsters members is anticipated.
“MTD appreciates the continued patience of the public with this process,” MTD stated in a press release.
“I’m pleased to announce we have a tentative agreement at MTD that is fully recommended by our committee. We will be voting to ratify this agreement on Monday, August 4 in the auditorium at MTD from 8am to 4pm,” Teamsters 186 representative Abel Garcia stated on social media. “Once again, thank you for all your support standing by your committee and your local Union. It’s been a long hard fight, but it’s been well worth it,”
Santa Barbara MTD Drivers Contract Expires Thursday, Strike Possible
By the edhat staff
July 30, 2025
Santa Barbara MTD employees, including drivers, may go on strike as soon as Friday as their contract expires on July 31, 2025.
MTD and Teamsters Local 186 (Teamsters), which represents MTD’s bus operators, operations supervisors, and maintenance employees, are continuing mediations.
Bargaining has been underway since May 6, 2025. At the end of June, both groups agreed to a one-month contract extension, allowing bus service to continue to operate normally for the month of July. Now that agreement expires at midnight on Thursday.
The Teamsters indicate they have strike authorization authority from their members, and should a tentative agreement or further extension not be reached by the expiration, a work stoppage may occur.
“Good Wednesday morning Teamsters. MTD negotiations continue today with State Mediation. MTD members please be Ready and Be Prepared for a work stoppage. We will see if Management comes with a real offer that you members deserve,” the Teamsters social media page stated.
MTD states it remains hopeful that continued mediation will be successful.
“The District has put forth a proposal that recognizes the contributions of MTD’s employees, serves the public, and looks out for the stability of the District,” MTD stated in a press release.
If a work stoppage occurs after the expiration of the contract extension, MTD public transit service will be suspended and passengers will need to make alternate transportation plans. This means no MTD buses or on-demand services would operate as of 12:00 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025.
This article will be updated with new information as it’s released.
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what are they bargaining over? What do they currently get & what are they asking for?
It would be interesting to know how the MTD is doing budget wise. How has ridership trended since the pandemic? Is it in the black financially?
How does MTD propose to balance their budget with raises and benefit increases?
Is the MTD still expected to get COVID relief funds? What happens if it is cancelled?