The board of trustees of the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) has approved a three-year contract with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 697, which represents about 150 employees at TARTA and its paratransit agency, TARPS.
“We’re happy to have reached an agreement that benefits TARTA, its employees and its customers,” said TARTA Board of Trustees President Kelsie Hoagland. “Our ATU members have helped riders get where they need to go safely for decades, so we’re pleased to have a deal that lets them know how much they are valued and sets a strong foundation for the future of this agency.”
The agreement brings pay and benefits for operators and maintenance employees in line with transit industry standards and the locally competitive nature of these positions. Due to TARTA’s past financial issues, some elements of the ATU bargaining unit had not received meaningful compensation increases in five years.
The board approved contract includes wage increases of eight percent on July 1, 2022, six percent on July 1, 2023 and six percent on July 1, 2024.
“TARTA is excited to announce an agreement that reflects how important our operators and maintenance teams are to our organization and to the thousands of people who depend on public transportation every day in northwest Ohio,” said TARTA CEO Laura Koprowski. “The positive momentum created at TARTA in recent years would not have been possible without the hard work, dedication and expertise of these employees.
“I am thrilled to offer our team members a contract that reflects how valuable they are and cannot wait to see what we as a team can do moving forward. This contract will also support our efforts to attract and retain a talented workforce at TARTA in this competitive labor market.”
Membership from both units of the ATU (TARTA and TARPS) voted to ratify the deal on April 27.
“I think it’s a fair deal that shows movement toward the future instead of the status quo,” ATU Local 697 President Carly Allen said. “Compensation and healthcare were the big issues, but it’s a well-rounded contract that addresses a number of the things our members were concerned about. It was kind of that past-to-present moment for our members and reflects the changes that have happened in this organization, so it’s great to be able to move forward.”
Among other items, the contract also calls for:
- One-time bonus of $500 to all bargaining unit members.
- Amended vacation and holiday schedules, including additions of Juneteenth and Veterans Day.
- Increased tool and shoe budget for maintenance employees.
