SamTrans and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1574, which represents bus operators and mechanics, reached an agreement after several months of negotiations.
The union’s previous contract ended in July, and in August, the union rejected the agency’s initial proposal, which would have resulted in an 18% pay increase over three years for bus operators, a 22% increase for maintenance and utility workers and an 11% raise for customer service representatives.
Ernie Solero, president of the ATU Local 1574, had previously said the union was not in favor of the original offer, in part due to neighboring agencies’ higher pay and also that their wages fell behind during the pandemic when they worked for a year and a half without a contract.
About one-third of the agency’s bus operators called in sick in September to signal their discontent with the contract negotiations. On Nov. 20, 90% of union members voted in favor of the new agreement.
“Members feel this contract is fair. We didn’t get everything we wanted, but we got some,” he said, adding the wage increases were not as high as they hoped but still closer to neighboring agencies, like Valley Transportation and MUNI, located in Santa Clara County and San Francisco, respectively.
In addition to fixed wage adjustments, the new agreement provides a 4% increase during the first year, 3.5% in the second and third years and 4% in the final year, according to the press release. Altogether, Solero said it represents about a 24% increase over four years for bus operators and 28% for mechanics.
“This contract represents a significant milestone for SamTrans and our valued employees,” said SamTrans General Manager/CEO April Chan in a press release.
The new contract includes not only bus operators and mechanics, but also utility workers, storekeepers and receptionists, the release added.
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(1) comment
And who is going to pay for the 24% raises? The people who ride or tax payers?
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