Cleveland RTA, ATU fail to reach agreement

A tentative agreement between the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), which represents approximately 1,700 bus operators; mechanics and related employees at RTA, was not ratified, the two sides announced on Wednesday.

The term of the rejected contract was for three years and would have frozen wages at current levels for the initial 18 months, thereafter, tying wage increases to increases in revenues.

The tentative agreement would have also increased employee contribution levels for healthcare from 12 percent to 14 percent.

In March, the ATU membership voted to not accept the recommendations of the state-appointed fact finder, which led to continued negotiations. Contract negotiations have been underway for 13 months so far.

At this time, all the terms and conditions of the former contract continue until a new agreement is reached.