Over 1,800 AC Transit workers, represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 192, favor a groundbreaking, four-year contract with the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District. This agreement, hailed as a first in the organization's 65-year history, has been ratified with a 73% majority, signaling a robust endorsement from the union membership.
The new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) affects various frontline roles crucial to AC Transit's operations. These include bus operators, mechanics, and dispatchers, who form the core workforce managing the new Realign network. Launching Realign, nearly 85% of AC Transit's bus lines are set to right-size the network to align with shifting work models and community needs, according to AC Transit's announcement.
As per AC Transit, General Manager and CEO Sal Llamas expressed his gratitude for the collaboration that brought this agreement: "I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our Human Resources and Labor teams for more than six months of tireless dedication that helped secure this historic agreement. Their relentless effort and professionalism made a monumental difference. And it simply would not have been possible without the partnership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to fairness demonstrated by ATU Local 192."
The comprehensive CBA includes provisions that address several critical areas essential for the workforce's well-being. Frontline members are set to receive fair-market wages that reflect the Bay Area's competitive landscape while maintaining fiscal responsibility for AC Transit. A compressed pay scale, intended to accelerate career advancement, enhanced safety measures, and customer-service training are part of the provisions designed to support and protect the staff. "This milestone sets the stage for future-forward progress. We will now have annual meetings to not only update safety curriculum but also introduce cutting-edge best practices that elevate our brothers and sisters, ensuring they stay strong, skilled, and ready to serve the community," ATU Local 192 President and Business Agent LaTrina Meredith told AC Transit.
