Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The budget reflects a new, tentative labor agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union Locals #241 and #308, which represent CTA bus and rail operators. The four-year tentative agreement slows the rate of growth in health care spending and emphasizes preventative care, among changes shaving approximately $50 million off the 2013 budget deficit.

The agreement helps lower overtime costs by allowing the CTA to more efficiently run three consecutive work shifts at regular time, instead of overtime. The new work rules also lower the number of required workers on the afternoon shift, which includes the afternoon rush hour and is typically the least-efficient shift.

Tentative agreement would also require workers to pay more of their health care costs. Agreement doesn’t include cost-of-living pay increases, but does preserve “step” increases for union members during their first 10 years with the agency.

The new contract was ratified with a vote of 212 to 69.

Employees will contribute 10 percent of the cost of their monthly medical and dental insurance premiums and receive one less paid holiday.

The new contract, which was ratified nearly unanimously by Fraternal Order of Police - Ohio Labor Council members, is effective through Feb. 28, 2014.

The deal must still be ratified by members of Transport Workers Union Local 250-A.

The new contract also must receive approval from the SORTA board of trustees, which will meet on Friday.

The four-year package includes among other items, substantial wage increases for everyone in the bargaining unit for each year of the contract. Wage adjustments are retroactive to Feb. 1, 2011.

The contract terms include a 1.5-percent wage increase retroactive to July 1, up from the 1-percent wage increase Bremerton, Wash.-based Paratransit Services had previous proposed.