Cascades East Transit workers, supporters hold rally as union negotiates for new contract

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Friday morning, a group gathered just outside the Hawthorne Transit Station in Bend to rally for workers.

Cascades East Transit is currently negotiating with the workers' union, Local 757 of the Amalgamated Transit Union. On the table: wages, benefits and more.

Bus drivers and other employees are still working, so many of the people at the rally were not CET employees, but rather citizens showing support for bus drivers.

At the rally, Peter Loverso told KTVZ News his reasons for attending, saying, "Public transit is how people get to medical help. It's how they get to work. It's how they get to their family. It's necessary for a community.

Of particular concern in this round of negotiations is retaining workers. The union wants incentives for employees to stay with CET for a longer time.