CAT Union pushes back on strike claims, says transit system is ‘worst we have ever been’

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The head of Chatham Area Transit’s (CAT) Union is denying claims that workers are preparing to go on strike.

Thursday, CAT’s Union Director Donya Swinton denied any plans to go on strike, and had plenty of things to say about CAT, including numerous things she wants them to look into.

She mainly took issue with staff wages, and claimed that CAT is quickly declining in quality.

“We are now the worst we have ever been,” said Swinton.

Swinton had harsh words for the transit company at Thursday’s press conference.

“First I think we need to clean house,” said Swinton.

It started when CAT sent the union a notice earlier this week—accusing them of planning an illegal strike.

They cited a Georgia law that says public employees may express their opinions, but not when it impacts their work.

That notice surprised Swinton because she had just been at headquarters hours before.

“So we were in a regularly scheduled meeting, me and the vice president and management, and no one said anything,” said Swinton. “So I was in the building for at least 30 minutes to an hour, they were saying everything was alright.”

While Swinton says there was never a plan for a strike, workers weren’t thrilled after hearing that Stephanie Cutter was recently named as CEO.

“The laborers were not happy because you will not be happy if a person is not labor-friendly,” said Swinton.

She cited other issues regarding wages and misuse of funding.

WTOC reached out to CAT but they did not get back to me.

We did speak to their spokesperson Spencer DeMink on Tuesday.

“If there’s anything they need, we talk about it, it’s fairly transparent. But if they have a concern we’re here to listen,” said DeMink.

Swinton disputed that Thursday.

And now, she wants to know where CAT learned about a potential strike.

While there are issues, she says one positive is the new board members appointed by Chatham County.

“I saw there was commissioner ADot Whiteley and he’s always been for Union and laborers and the general public,” said Swinton. " Miss Marsha Buford the same for her and Mr John Taylor and he does advocate heavily for 88. So I think at least we will have a few people that are concerned.

There were multiple concerns about CAT’s workplace that were mentioned as well.

Things like pay, maintenance, and recognition were what Swinton says need to be priorities going forward