Thousand Palms, Calif.-based SunLine Transit Agency ratified the contract agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1277, which is the union that represents bargaining union employees of SunLine Transit Agency.
Approximately 181 employees are represented by ATU 1277 including bus operators, mechanics, facility maintenance and utility employees. The agreement will be effective April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2014.
The new contract includes a 2% salary increase each year for a two year period, as well as an employer paid health insurance premium increase for all employees. Full time paratransit operators with service of 10 years or more will be able to accrue an additional 40 hours of vacation per year, for a total of 120 hours. Mechanics will receive an additional $25 tool allowance each year for a two year period, increasing from the current $538 per year. All past and present retires only will receive bus passes for life.