Those on strike are part of the City of Fresno Professional Employees Association or CFPEA, which represents 400 supervisors who oversee transit, wastewater and our local parks.
As many 114 members, representing roughly 30% of CFPEA membership, made the decision to strike Tuesday.
According to the City, essential positions within the union that are not allowed to strike include crime scene investigators and supervisors with for the 911 communications center.
The strike is putting a strain on the transit system with the cancellation of hundreds of bus routes.
Bus 38, which runs from downtown Fresno to River Park, typically has a dozen drivers.
Tuesday's strike cutting that number in half - with sympathy strikers standing in solidarity with the CFPEA.
"They're not in this union, but there are certain drivers that are still running buses today. It's just not at a full capacity for bus drivers that are out there today," said Cheri Kennedy, a risk analyst for the city.
Fresno city staff members go on strike
You're at a minimum capacity for buses going around the city."
"I think it's important to know that we have on a daily basis, a significant number of bus drivers that don't show up for work," added Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer.
"So, we do have contingency plans for that on a daily basis. Today was exacerbated in the fact that we had many more, no show for work than than normal. And a significant number of work. Again, 311 routes that had to be canceled."
Mayor Dyer says there are 13 conditions the CFPEA and the City were not able to agree upon, including salary increases.
The city offered a 2% ongoing pay increase and a 1% one-time lump sum, but the union is demanding 3%.
"We do have a responsibility of the city to be fair with all of the unions, and that's what we're trying to be," said Mayor Dyer.
"We also have a a fiscal responsibility to utilize the taxpayer dollars in the most efficient way. Again, we appreciate and value the work that they professional employees association members do day in and day out. I've worked with many of them, many years. But there's only so much we can afford."
The City Manager offered praise to the workforce who filled in the gaps to limit the impact to city services.
Mayor Dyer has reaffirmed that he is available 24/7 to meet with CFPEA leadership and is willing to have those discussions to get a deal done.
Members will strike outside the Municipal Service Center through 10 pm Tuesday.
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