Cleveland RTA, labor union reach agreement

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) reached a contract agreement with its largest union, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 268.

The ATU represents the majority of RTA's employees, including all bus and train operators and mechanics. Approximately 1,700 RTA employees are ATU members, out of a total of 2,300 employees. ATU members have been operating under the continued terms of the current contract since its expiration in August 2009.

“RTA is excited to make this agreement that ties a wage increase, if any, to RTA’s ability to pay those increases. This is the only way to assure that if RTA’s services to the public are stable or growing,” said Joe Calabrese, GM, RTA.

The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), RTA's Transit Police union, agreed to similar terms when it ratified its new contract in July of 2011.