MADISON, Wis. — Madison Metro Transit said bus services experienced disruptions Thursday due to what it said was an extreme number of driver absences.

What You Need To Know

  • The city is in ongoing negotiations with Teamsters Local 120, the union which represents Metro bus drivers and mechanics

  • The last contract between the city and the union expired on Dec. 31, 2024

  • That contract said drivers had the right to refuse to work extra hours

  • It also stipulated that drivers could only be scheduled to work more than 10 hours if they agreed to be, and that they had to be given a four day work week if they worked longer than 10 hours

It said drivers also refused to work overtime.

The city is in ongoing negotiations with Teamsters Local 120, the union which represents Metro bus drivers and mechanics. The last contract between the city and the union expired on Dec. 31, 2024.

That contract said drivers had the right to refuse to work extra hours. It also stipulated that drivers could only be scheduled to work more than 10 hours if they agreed to be, and that they had to be given a four day work week if they worked longer than 10 hours.

City and Metro Transit leaders said they were committed to preserving the confidentiality of the bargaining process and could not comment on the terms of the ongoing negotiations.

Officials said other city employees received a 3% wage increase in 2025.

“We are disappointed that in the middle of bargaining, some Metro employees chose to take concerted action that disrupted a vital service,” the city and Metro Transit said in a joint statement.

However, they said they are committed to ensuring equality when it comes to wages for Metro bus drivers.

Lance Barber, who takes the bus, said he hopes the situation doesn’t impact service in the future.

“I hope they keep up the good work, what they've been doing,” he said. “We don't need any delays. People got to get to work.”

Spectrum News 1 reached out to Teamsters Local 120, but did not hear back.