Ride or Die ATX

Ride or Die ATX is an independent community advocacy website focused on supporting Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1091 (ATU 1091) in its labor dispute with Keolis, the contractor operating CapMetro bus service in Austin, Texas. The site provides information about the union's vote to authorize a strike and summarizes workers' demands such as higher wages, retirement benefits, and shorter split shifts. It also encourages visitors to participate in advocacy actions like attending a demonstration at CapMetro headquarters.

The website outlines specific demands for drivers, mechanics, and support staff, including an increase in wages and retirement benefits to help many who cannot afford to live in the city they serve. Mechanics are specifically asking for tool and equipment allowances so they can keep buses safe and running. Additionally, the site highlights that University of Texas shuttle bus drivers are currently not getting sick pay and other benefits even when working full time.

The site encourages visitors to take direct action by attending a demonstration scheduled for Monday, August 24th at 12:00 PM at the Rosa Parks Boardroom, CapMetro HQ, 2910 E. 5th St., Austin, TX 78702. Visitors are also instructed to download and use a provided CMTA Board Script to email the CMTA Board. Sharing information with neighbors, friends, and family who rely on CapMetro is another suggested way to get involved.

The website states that Keolis, a French multinational company known to be anti-union, was awarded a contract by the CapMetro Board to run buses beginning in 2024 despite Union opposition. After months of unfruitful negotiations with Keolis, ATU 1091 voted to go on strike if conditions are not met. A strike would shut down virtually all public bus service citywide.

The site explicitly states that it does not cross pickets in Austin, which is presented as a key principle for the advocacy group. This rule helps define the scope of their support and interaction with the ongoing labor dispute. The website and its contents are described as wholly independent and not officially affiliated with ATU 1091.

The website operates under the domain behindourdrivers.org and provides a dedicated section for Spanish speakers with an 'EN ES' language toggle. The site's primary goal is to inform the public and transit workers about the causes of the labor dispute and its potential impact on city bus services. It targets both the general public and transit workers to explain what is happening.

The site's focus on a single, high-stakes labor dispute in Austin means it may not cover broader transit issues outside this specific context. Its structure is designed around a specific timeline and set of demands, which might limit its applicability to other ongoing disputes. The site's independence from the union itself could be seen as a feature for some, ensuring unbiased information.

The website's clear timeline, starting with the 2024 contract award and leading to the potential strike, helps visitors understand the urgency of the situation. The specific location of the demonstration and the provided email script are concrete details that make the advocacy steps actionable. The site's emphasis on the impact of a strike shutting down virtually all public bus service citywide highlights the stakes involved.

On Trustburn, Ride or Die ATX has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 4 reviews.