The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) finalized a new three-year labor agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1560.

The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.

“This agreement reflects our values,” she said. “By working collaboratively with our union partners, we are investing in our workforce, strengthening service delivery, and advancing our mission to provide safe, reliable, and world-class rider experience for the people of New Orleans.”

RTA Board Chairman Fred Neal Jr. emphasized the importance of the partnership in achieving long-term success. 

“This agreement highlights the trust and respect between labor and management,” said Neal. “It positions RTA to continue moving forward with stability, accountability, and a focus on service excellence.” 

Highlights of the Agreement

Key highlights of the new agreement include: 

• A three-year contract term.

• Competitive wages for employees. 

• A strong focus on labor-management collaboration.

• Positive working relations between RTA and ATU. 

• A shared commitment to building a world-class transit system.

“As ATU Local 1560 President, my top priority was reaching an agreement that supports our members who are on the front lines every day,” said Ronald Horn, ATU Local 1560 president. “This agreement is about the hard work and dedication of our workforce, provides competitive wages, and includes more union involvement than ever before in shaping our workplace. We look forward to continuing our partnership with RTA as we work together to strengthen service and better serve our riders and community.”

The finalized agreement underscores RTA’s ongoing efforts to improve employee morale, operational efficiency, and rider experience while strengthening partnerships that support the agency’s long-term vision.