(Arlington, VA) November 27, 2024 – Arlington Transit workers overwhelmingly ratified their first contract with Transdev as members of ATU Local 689 this week. After months of negotiations, the ratified contract marks another major step forward for ART workers who will now be working under a strong union contract which guarantees competitive pay and improved working conditions. Throughout the negotiations which began in May, the Union fought to drastically improve the quality of life for ART workers who were the lowest paid transit workers in the region.
“For years, ART workers have performed exemplary transit work in a dense, heavy traffic area while being the lowest paid transit workers in the region. With this new contract, ART workers will finally have competitive pay reflective of their dedication and skill,” said ATU Local 689 President Raymond Jackson. “I commend ART workers who stood together during the prolonged contract talks and through their solidarity, won a strong contract. ATU 689 will continue to advocate for our members at the bargaining table and put workers on a path towards a better future.”
Now ratified, the new contract will last through 2027. Key additional points of the agreement include one additional week of vacation for workers with more than 10 years of service and mandatory company 401(k) contributions without an employee match starting in the 2nd year of the contract.
“Congratulations to our ART members for ratifying a strong Union contract that lifts up hundreds of workers. Once again, ATU 689 has demonstrated that when workers are united in solidarity, they are able to accomplish amazing things and help to achieve the American dream,” President Jackson continued.
###
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 has more than 15,000 members and retirees performing occupations within the many skilled transportation crafts for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), MetroAccess, DASH, and the DC Circulator and Streetcar among others. A member of the Amalgamated Transit Union (AFL-CIO/CLC), the largest labor organization representing transit workers in the United States and Canada, Local 689 was established on January 19, 1916. For more information please visit our website at atulocal689.org.