SANTA ANA, Calif. - Orange County's first bus strike in more than two decades disrupted the morning commute for thousands of riders Monday after 1,100 transportation workers walked off the job.

The strike began Saturday after union leaders rejected a proposed contract offer.

Only 31 of the county's 81 bus lines were still running, most of them short routes and rail feeders operated by a subcontractor. Transit officials were bracing for plenty of confusion and frustrated residents.

"We're really hopeful this won't be a long-term situation. We want the union to come back and talk to us," said transit spokesman Joel Zlotnik.

Orange County Transportation Authority board members were to meet Monday to discuss their next move, and members of the union picketed outside the transit headquarters. Both sides agreed Monday morning to resume negotiations later in the day, which Zlotnik called a positive step.

"I would hope that they would make some movement and get it done," said Patrick Kelly, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 952. "If not, it's going to be a long, hot July."

About 70 percent of OCTA riders don't have access to a car and half are members of families making $22,000 a year or less, according to the agency's chairwoman, Carolyn Cavecche.

The drivers are demanding a 14 percent pay raise spread over three years, arguing Orange County is one of the most expensive places in the state. Drivers now make between $13.72 to $21.42 an hour. A three-year contract offer of 3 percent pay increases each year was rejected.

One major sticking point has been which drivers will benefit most from proposed wage increases: Labor leaders want to concentrate raises among more senior drivers to reward service; the transportation authority wants to spread the raises more evenly and give a greater portion to those lower on the seniority scale to improve recruiting.

"It's not about money, it's about where the money goes," Kelly said. "There's almost enough money there to get it settled - if they're willing to work with us on allocation."

Some employers were busy setting up car pools and other resources to help their workers reach their jobs. Disneyland Resort, Orange County's largest employer with about 20,000 workers, set up a hot line to matches workers with car pools in their area, spokesman Bob Tucker said.

The county's last bus strike, in 1986, lasted 12 days.

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