Updated July 27
The strike by year-round bus drivers for the Vineyard Transit Authority appears to be over.
The drivers have posted that a tentative contract agreement has been reached and set a ratification vote for Sunday, July 28, from 11 am to 4 pm at Barn Bowl and Bistro in Oak Bluffs.
“After 16 years of struggle, five years of attempted union-busting, and a year of frustrating negotiations, the ATU local VTA 1548 bargaining committee and Transit Connection Inc. (TCI) have reached a tentative agreement,” the post on the Support Vineyard Bus Drivers Facebook page states. “VTA strikers should be proud that they’ve achieved significant progress over the company’s ‘last, best, and final offer,’ and secured their first collective bargaining agreement in two decades.”
The tentative agreement includes the highest wage rate increasing by 8.5 percent from $23.50 to $25.50 starting August 1, 2019. The top rate will then increase again on Aug. 1, 2020 to $27, with the final increase occurring Aug. 1, 2021, to $27.50. The starting wage rate for new hires will increase by more than 18 percent from $16.50 to $19.50 on Aug. 1, 2019. The starting wage will then increase to $20 on Aug. 1, 2020, and then increase to $20.50 on Aug. 1, 2021. The previous 13-year completion and 14-step progression to achieve the top rate has been reduced to a 7-year completion and 8-step progression. Seniority will also be recognized when drivers selected routes and drivers will be paid double their hourly rate for shifts on holidays. Drivers not working on holidays will still be paid their regular rate. The deal also includes layoff protections.
The deal comes four weeks into the strike and a week after a contentious meeting between the drivers and TCI at a VTA advisory board meeting. It was at that meeting that the VTA advisory board voted to have TCI return to the negotiating table.
On his Facebook page, Jason Chalifoux, one of the drivers, wrote: “Never been more proud.”
The drivers had support from elected officials, as well as presidential candidates in their quest for a contract with the VTA and TCI. More recently, Island town leaders have joined the fray urging the VTA and TCI to settle the strike.
VTA driver Richard Townes was disappointed the agreement took so long to reach, but was happy it is over.
“Wish we didn’t have to go on strike to achieve it but overwhelmed by the support we received from the community and the union. Martha’s Vineyard is is a very special place,” Townes said.
“Would just like to thank the community for their tremendous support throughout this ordeal. This was a battle we weren’t supposed to win, especially since we couldn’t shut down service. We couldn’t of done it without them,” Chalifoux said. “And of course Amalgamated Transit Union for all their support and direction as well. And all the ATU members who donated well over $60,000 to help keep us out on the picket lines.”
VTA administrator Angela Grant issued a press release after the agreement was reached.
“Funding for the transit system is approximately 70 percent taxpayer money, the VTA is pleased the union came back to the table on July 2 with a much more reasonable wage expectation. The union’s original request maxed out at $34/hour after three years of service and we settled at $27.50 after 7 years of service, which is providing a $2-$4 immediate increase for all operators and a $4/hour wage increase for our most senior operators over the duration of the 40-month contract. This is an affordable and sustainable agreement for the VTA to maintain the level of service our riders depend on. I understand that once the parties agreed on wages, all other pieces fell into place rather quickly,” Grant said, despite TCI giving its “final and best offer” and refusing to return to negotiations for much of the month of July. “The VTA would like to thank all of our drivers and riders that made the difficult decision to cross the picket line and support the Vineyard community, we understand how difficult it has been on some people. We would also like to apologize to all of our riders and drivers as the VTA has a responsibility to ensure the future of public transportation on the Vineyard and sometimes dealing with difficult situations in the short term are necessary for a favorable outcome in the long term. We look forward to putting this behind us, and working together to finish out the summer with Illumination Night, the Agricultural Fair and fireworks ahead of us.”
Updated with comments from Grant after breaking the story July 25.