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Source: The Press-Enterprise, Riverside, Calif.mini storageOct. 25--Bus drivers in San Bernardino County say they're growing impatient with the slow pace of contract talks with regional carrier Omnitrans, and both sides say they are looking to a state mediator to help end the impasse.But in the meantime, leaders of Local 1704 of the Amalgamated Transit Union say they are going to step up the pressure on Omnitrans with public demonstrations and informational picket lines at special events the bus company has planned in the next few weeks.Local 1704 represents more than 400 drivers, Jeff Caldwell, president of the local, said on Friday, Oct. 25. The union opened negotiations with Omnitrans in January, but after about nine months, both sides gave up trying to reach an agreement and decided to ask for help."On Sept, 4, we decided it was an impasse," Caldwell said. "We're waiting for a mediator so we can proceed."Caldwell said the drivers are not being offered any salary increase and have gotten no raises in the last five years. He said Omnitrans is offered a deal that would save drivers about $30 on their insurance premiums, but he said that the family plan currently costs workers about $600 per month. He said other issues revolve around surveillance cameras on buses and worker rules for express buses.He said the members have yet to take a vote authorizing a strike, which would put additional pressure on management. "We're not th儲存re yet," Caldwell said.Omnitrans, which carries an estimated 50,000 passengers a day in southern San Bernardino County cities and unincorporated areas, is a public agency that is under the jurisdiction of the county and 15 cities in the area. Representatives of each of those cities and the five members of the county's Board of Supervisors comprise the bus service's board.Wendy Williams, director of marketing for Omnitrans, confirmed that the bus service and the drivers are at an impasse and that mediation is being set up. She declined further comment.Public agency labor stalemates fall under the jurisdiction of the State Mediation and Conciliation Service. Loretta van der Pol, supervising conciliator for the agency, said that a mediator has been assigned and that they were in the process of scheduling sessions.The situation between Omnitrans and Local 1704 is similar to contract negotiations six years ago. Talks started in January, but a deal was not reached until October after the union threatened a strike.A different Amalgamated Transit Union local struck the Bay Area Rapid Transit system earlier this month; a four-day shutdown that snarled traffic in that area.Follow Jack Katzanek on Twitter: @JackKatzanek and check his blog on pe.com/businessCopyright: ___ (c)2013 The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, Calif.) Visit The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, Calif.) at .PE.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉