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SamTrans and the union representing its bus operators and other workers have settled on a new four-year contract, with the SamTrans Board of Directors giving its final approval on Wednesday, according to a news release by the organization.
Nearly 400 members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1574 voted Tuesday, Nov. 19, to accept the deal, which was hammered out last week during mediation. The agreement covers bus operators, mechanics, utility workers, storekeepers, and customer service staff.
The contract gives ATU members a 4% raise in the first year, followed by 3.5% increases in the second and third years, and another 4% bump in the fourth year. It also includes pay adjustments for jobs SamTrans found were underpaid compared to market rates.
The negotiations weren’t easy. In August, union members rejected a tentative deal after turning down a final offer from SamTrans in July. Talks moved to mediation this fall to break the stalemate, and both sides eventually reached common ground.
The previous contract expired at the end of June, and the new agreement takes effect immediately.
