Biddeford/Saco/OOB & RTP Drivers (ATU 714) Ratified Some “Fabulous” Contracts!

Members of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 714 at Biddeford/Saco/Old Orchard Beach Transit (BSOOB) have ratified their first ever collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the company. Negotiations began in August 2021, and after many productive bargaining sessions, the agreement provides wages increases and retains quality health coverage.  

The contract includes pay increases across all union positions and an enhanced deferred compensation contribution from the employer. The new top rate for a bus driver will increase to $23 per hour, with 4 percent increases scheduled for all union positions in the next two fiscal years.  Wages increases will be retroactive to the beginning of the current fiscal year.ATU 714 President Ed Knutson says bargaining for higher wages is much easier now that transit providers are competing for employees with low wage employers offering higher pay. He said drivers are especially sought after now because of their skills and their commercial driver’s licenses. “It’s kind of strange,” Said Knutson. “You’d think that bargaining would be tougher during these times, but the last three contracts that we’ve done have been just fabulous.”Recently drivers and service technicians at Regional Transportation Program in Westbrook also ratified a three-year contract with substantial pay increases. RTP employees negotiated wage increases of $4-$5 per hour amounting to a 21 percent  pay increase in the first year and 3.5 percent a year after that. In addition, RTP drivers successfully kept health insurance costs in check and negotiated a raise in the tool allowance, the uniform allowance, gym reimbursements and bereavement time. The RTP contract also improves access to sick time. Both ATU 714 contracts include Juneteenth as a paid holiday.All the drivers are very happy with this contract," said RTP driver Tanya Staples, a shop steward with ATU 714. "It was the first time since I've been at RTP that everyone was happy. No one complained about anything in the contract this time.  I think the company has realized that we're much more valuable than they thought we were."