TriMet, ATU Local 757 propose landmark contract agreement

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Tentative 4-year agreement includes a more than 13% wage increase, 401a contribution increase, new childcare subsidy, tuition reimbursement and other changes that bolster TriMet’s ability to expand service and improve the customer experience

*Information on union vote has been updated.

TriMet and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 757 leadership have reached a tentative agreement on a proposed new Working and Wage Agreement. The new contract includes compromises and improvements that benefit TriMet’s union employees, the agency and TriMet riders. If ratified by TriMet union members and approved by the TriMet Board of Directors, the new, four-year contract will take effect on Dec. 1, 2024, though an increase in the agency contribution to union employees’ 401a plan would go into effect after Board approval.

Proposed Working & Wage Agreement – by the numbers:

  • 2,664 – TriMet employees who are members of ATU Local 757
  • 13.64% – Wage increase over four years, with 4.0% coming in December 2024
  • 2% – Increase in TriMet’s contribution to union employee 401a plan (10% total employer contribution with increases included in contract)
  • Up to $5,250 – New yearly tuition reimbursement for continuing education for ATU members
  • $150 – New monthly childcare subsidy for ATU members
  • 2 – Additional floating holidays
  • $0.70 – annual increase in hourly ‘longevity’ pay for Transportation employees, the first in 25 years (Longevity pay is a retention tool that increases the pay for longer-term union employees in certain work classifications who have reached the top of the scheduled, step pay increases.)
  • 4 years – Longer contract term to provide greater stability for all parties involved

“This tentative contract agreement underscores our unwavering commitment to attract and retain people who want to work for TriMet, support their families, better themselves and make a meaningful contribution to our region’s economic vitality,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. “I appreciate the bargaining team, which conducted negotiations in record time and with a collaborative approach focused on improving working conditions for our union staff while improving TriMet’s ability to provide the service our riders need.”

“This truly is a landmark agreement proposal that will greatly benefit ATU 757 members in a variety of ways, including personally and financially,” said ATU 757 President Shirley Block. “As my tenure with TriMet and leading the ATU Local 757 comes to a close, I know this contract leaves my union brethren in a much better situation and sets them up for a prosperous future.”

TriMet must continue to improve staffing and retention levels, especially among operators, maintenance and other union staff. That is critical to agency plans for increasing service, expanding safety and security, and enhancing cleanliness for a better customer experience.  

* ATU requires Transportation employees, Maintenance employees and salary employees to all separately approve the agreement. All work groups, except for Transportation employees, approved the agreement in a vote held on Aug. 3. Transportation employees ratified the agreement on Wednesday, Aug. 14. It now goes to the TriMet Board of Directors for approval at the Board’s Sept. 25 business meeting.