Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Sources tell the Monroe Dispatch that many Monroe citizens who utilize Monroe Transit to go from point A to point B are not that thrilled about the service. It is not so much about the city providing the service, but it is, they say, the company that is running Monroe Transit. The entity, First Transit which is charged with the overall operation of Monroe Transit, has been a fixture of controversy almost from the moment Monroe chose the company to operate the city's transit system. First Transit's General Manager Marc Keenan has been the subject of several controversial moves that he has made since he became the manager, where there have been numerous labor-management incidents with the workforce and the union. Many are saying that nothing has changed for the good of the employees of Monroe Transit, as service to the public has diminished. There is a perennial battle between Keenan and the local union, as some have said that Keenan's job seems to be busting the local union. There have been numerous firings by First Transit under Keenan's watch from terminated employees who have told the Monroe Dispatch of Keenan's alleged harassments of employees, particularly those who are involved in the union. Many have asked why the city is keeping a company that they feel has outlived its usefulness. The Monroe Dispatch was informed through sources of those willing to talk that, as of now, First Transit is in an alleged month-to-month arrangement with the city to continue to be in charge of operations. The city is aware of the union's concerns as to why Monroe is not actively seeking another company to come in and give the city and its transit employees a fresh start and perhaps improve the morale of the remaining employees. There are those who want to know who is in charge of Public Works and how are the operations of First Transit being affected. Sources alleged nepotism being done in Public Works, as there are allegations of family members working in the Department and First Transit. That is a big concern, as sources alleged that family members are being hired through a "temp" or temporary service with the city. Not only is that going on within the Department, but it is alleged that the manager of First Transit is allegedly in a relationship with an employee, and that employee has gotten a promotion. By all accounts, sources say that the city could have gotten rid of First Transit back in 2011-2012 but allowed the company to hang around until it got a new contract with the city in 2017, where the turmoil within the transit system continued. The public doesn't know what kind of progress has been made between the city and the union as it relates to improved morale among its employees. Have Monroe Transit employees gotten a raise recently? Transit employees have continued to operate and move the system through(and continuing to) a pandemic that still has no end in sight. Why has no one on the present city council made any inquiries into First Transit or requested a hearing from union officials at city council meetings? Union employees know that there is only so far that they can go without the fear of being retaliated by management. Even though there are labor laws in place that protect people who act in the capacity(shop stewards, union presidents)of a union representative, former employees say that the city and First Transit ignored those laws. There are those who want to see Mayor Ellis take a more visible approach to help improve things at Monroe Transit but are not convinced that improvements will not come until there is a change at the top in First Transit or bringing in a new company. They feel that it is time for a fresh start.