PARTA union workers went on strike at 4 a.m. this morning. About 45 drivers formed a picket line outside the busing agency’s office on Summit Road.

Buses are running today and are scheduled to run in the future, said Frank Hairston, PARTA marketing and equal employment opportunity director.

“We will provide transportation for the people of Portage county and the university,” he said.

The strike stems from more than two years of failed contract negotiations between the Ohio Association of Public School Employees and PARTA. Negotiations came to a halt because PARTA did not include the fair share policy in the contract.

OAPSE has said it will not accept a contract without the inclusion of a fair share policy.

If the strike continues Hairston said he hopes all the bus routes will still be running.

“We are taking it one day at a time,” said Hairston.

Trina Molnar, field representative of OAPSE Local 037, said the union is ready to negotiate with PARTA.

” OAPSE is prepared to go back to the table anytime that they (PARTA) would offer fair share,” she said.

Until negotiations do happen, Molnar said she does not know how long the strike will continue.

Check back with KentNewsNet.com for updates on the PARTA strike story.

Contact general assignment reporter Kelly Petryszyn at [email protected].