San Fernando Valley bus drivers began a strike Monday to protest pay cuts imposed by a new employer. The drivers have been asked to take cuts in pay, sick leave and vacation time, according to the union. In some cases, veteran drivers face a drop in their hourly pay from $14 to $10. Transit advocates say "contract shuffling" ? when employees are expected to do the same work but under a new employer who pays less ? is a trend.
See "Contract Bus Drivers Strike Over Cuts in Wages, Benefits", Caitlin Liu, Los Angeles Times, August 1, 2005