Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Restraining Order Issued Against Striking Bus Drivers

LANCASTER — Striking Antelope Valley bus drivers and mechanics must eliminate foul language while picketing, stop trying to block buses and refrain from intimidating workers who have crossed the picket line.

These prohibitions--and numerous others--were spelled out in a temporary restraining order issued Wednesday by Lancaster Superior Court Judge Frank Jackson. The order was granted at the request of DAVE Transportation Services Inc., which operates Antelope Valley’s public transit system under contract to the Antelope Valley Transit Authority.

Dave Smith, general manager, said the company filed the court action against the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 572 because the more than 80 strikers have “made threats, used abusive language” and the like since the walkout began Oct. 25.

A hearing on the company’s request for a permanent injunction against the strikers is scheduled for Dec. 17.

The court action, filed Wednesday, is “a pretty typical thing that gets done in a long-term strike,” Smith said. However, “I don’t know if (the court order) will make a difference.”

Although it was quieter Thursday at DAVE headquarters, Smith said that most of the 15 to 20 pickets pleaded ignorance about the temporary restraining order. Union officials were unavailable for comment.

Smith said the company had hired enough replacement workers as of this week to bring bus service back to pre-strike levels.