Wednesday, February 18, 2004
ATU Local Contracts Nationwide
Pages 26-29 summarize more than 30 local contracts negotiated with transit agencies across North America. Many include increases in wages, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, sick leave, and vacations. Here are some highlights.
In Waterloo, IA (Local 1192) "Employer pays 85% for single and 80% of premiums for family; was 80% and 75%". This is a gain. In Buffalo, NY (Local 1342) "Company continues to pick up 100% of medical premiums; also will reimburse employees for prescriptions over $5.00". This is a gain. In Raleigh, NC (Local 1493) for Sickness & Accident (industrial injury) the company pays "50% of weekly take home, was fixed dollar amount." ($12.55-$13.00 per hour) This is a gain.
In Gainesville, FL an incentive plan becomes part of the contract. "[E]mployees using less than 2 hrs of sick leave per yr receive an additional 32 hrs of vacation; 2 thru 20 hrs - 24 hrs; 10 thru 20 - 16 hrs; more than 20 hrs - 0 hrs."
VTA, on the other hand, negotiated what amounted to pay cuts. I noticed that dispatchers were all for it, though. It's no wonder--they got their 4-10's (4-day week, 10-hour day) in the new contract for the first time. Make no mistake. They can easily work one day off, get 15 hours of overtime, and still get two days off per week, which easily makes up for the added cost to them of the co-pay for benefits that kicks in in September.
