News Release
HRM Ratifies Deal with ATU
(Tuesday, July 13,2004) - Halifax Regional Municipality and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 508 have a new collective agreement. The parties have been bargaining since August, 2003 and were in conciliation for six days in June. The Union ratified the contract on Sunday, July 11th, 2004. Regional Council ratified the agreement today at their July 13th Council Session.
The agreement will provide the Transit workers with a 10% wage increase over the three years of the agreement. The deal is retroactive to September 1, 2003 and will expire August 31, 2006.
Highlights of the new contract include giving management more flexibility around ferry schedules, group benefits and overtime. The parties have also agreed to give bus operators at least eight hours of rest between late shifts on one day and the early shift the next day, an important safety consideration.
Mechanics and Bodymen in ATU will also receive an additional payment for working overnight shifts. This will help with HRM' s recruitment and retention. ATU members will be entitled to travel time should they be required to travel longer distances on their own time than they do currently.
Mayor Peter Kelly said "I am very pleased we have been able to reach an agreement with our transit union that is satisfactory to both parties. Our citizens can now look forward to taking in all the special events scheduled for this summer with no disruption to transit service."
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Contact:
Mike Christie
Manager of Employee Relations
Tel: 490-6137
