Oakland, California’s Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 192 reached a landmark four-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) covering all components of the labor contract — a breakthrough never seen in our 65-year history of transit service.

In a decisive show of unity, Local 192 approved the CBA by an impressive 73% of members who cast ballots, according to AC Transit.

“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. Together we’ve achieved something transformative, and I couldn’t be prouder," said GM/CEO Sal Llamas.

AC Transit’s New CBA

The newly ratified CBA marks a significant milestone in strengthening the foundation of AC Transit’s operations, as it reflects 1,869 ATU Local 192 frontline roles, including bus operators, BRT agents, clerks, dispatchers, janitors, maintenance clerks, mechanics, schedulers, service employees, and timekeepers.

The essential team members form the backbone of the workforce needed to ensure the smooth and seamless operation of the newly launched Realign network. 

Realign represents an ambitious update to the entire bus network, which impacts nearly 85% of AC Transit's bus lines. Realign aims to right-size the network to better align with current realities, including the ongoing hybrid and remote work models, shifting ridership patterns that reflect changing community needs and travel demands, and directly responds to ongoing fiscal challenges.

The new CBA is expansive in scope and introduces provisions designed to deliver lasting workplace protections including: fair-market pay that keeps frontline members competitive in the Bay Area while balancing wages with AC Transit's economic practicality; a compressed pay scale to energize the workforce and accelerate career progression; and strengthened safety and wellness measures — including improved relief times, expanded de-escalation protocols, and enhanced customer-service training — to better protect and support frontline staff.

“We’re incredibly proud that this CBA includes crucial provisions, like de-escalation and customer service training,” said ATU Local 192 President/Business Agent LaTrina Meredith. “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.” 

The CBA, also unanimously ratified by AC Transit’s board, is effective immediately and will remain in force through June 30, 2029.