Bus drivers and other transit workers with Teamsters Local 542 walked off the job in El Centro this morning, throwing much of Imperial Valley Transit service into disarray and forcing regular riders to scramble for backup plans. The union says the strike started at 4:00 AM after contract talks with Transdev failed to produce a new successor agreement. Local union leaders say the walkout will stay in place until negotiators reach a tentative deal on the key terms of a new contract.
Why drivers walked out
According to Teamsters Local 542, members voted to authorize and launch the strike after bargaining talks broke down, and the union warned that the move would hit residents who count on IVT to get to work, school and medical appointments. "Our members want to avoid a work stoppage," the union said in a release. The statement added that the Teamsters remain prepared to return to the bargaining table while talks continue, as reported by KYMA.
Company response and free fares
Transdev, the private operator running Imperial Valley Transit under contract, issued its own statement saying it "respects unions" but will not agree to contract language that could require employees to participate in stoppages mandated from outside, arguing that such provisions could shift decision-making away from local concerns. The Imperial County Transportation Commission said it received notice of the looming strike Sunday evening, urged both sides to keep negotiating in good faith and rolled out free fares on IVT services for the duration of the work stoppage. The commission also noted that Calexico's on-demand service will continue as usual. Those responses from the company and the commission were reported by KYMA.
How the system is run
Imperial Valley Transit operates under a contract with the Imperial County Transportation Commission, which approved an operating agreement with Transdev in 2024 and oversees IVT routes and paratransit programs. Because of that setup, the commission is the main hub for official service changes and public notices while negotiations play out. Commission records and agendas identify Transdev as the contracted operator for both fixed-route IVT service and paratransit operations, according to Imperial County Transportation Commission documents.
Labor history and what to watch
Teamsters and Transdev have gone head-to-head before in Southern California, with earlier strikes and bargaining standoffs sometimes dragging on for weeks before a deal finally came together. That history underscores how long these contract fights can last and suggests that pressure from the community and involvement from local elected officials could help determine how quickly a new agreement is hammered out, according to reporting on prior Transdev-Teamsters disputes by the Teamsters.
What riders should do
For now, riders are being urged to keep a close eye on the Imperial County Transportation Commission website and IVT service alerts for updated schedules, detours and any temporary service plans. The commission posts agendas, contact details and service notices on its site. Those looking for updates from the workers' side can follow Teamsters Local 542 communications and local media coverage as negotiations move forward.
