After more than a year of labour negotiations, Airdrie’s public transit operators have ratified a collective agreement with 75 per cent support from its members.
“Working conditions have diminished over time,” said Travis Oberg, president and business agent with ATU Local 987 – the union that represents Airdrie’s bus operators. “This was really successful. We were able to collaborate and get this done.”
Oberg said negotiations over a new collective agreement started after bus operators in Airdrie approached ATU Local 987 in March 2020. He said there was a quick certification process, which led to negotiations with PWTransit, the City of Airdrie’s current contractor for public transit services.
Under normal conditions, ATU Local 987 would work to complete collective agreement negotiations in around six months, according to Oberg. But with the world coming to a halt due to the pandemic last year, he said extra steps were needed to ensure everyone’s safety, which extended the timeline.
“We were delayed in being able to meet with the employer,” he said. “It slowed us down, but we got some momentum going with PWTransit. Most of our bargaining was done via Zoom, and it was really successful.
“We were hoping to get it done quicker, but the COVID-19 pandemic set us back.”
According to an ATU Local 987 press release sent out on May 5, the collective agreement “is a big improvement in working conditions for new members in Airdrie.”
The four-year contract includes a four per cent wage increase for transit workers as of Aug. 1, wage increases every year moving forward, increased vacation time and additional bereavement time.
“They also have a fair grievance procedure to deal with workplace disputes according to progressive discipline and just cause,” the release stated.
Transit, according to Oberg, is its own entity when it comes to labour conditions. He said there are often no lunch or coffee breaks available, as operators are always in motion.
Part of the agreement was ensuring language was added to support operators being able to add more structure to their work routines.
Considering employment remains uncertain for many amid the ongoing pandemic, Oberg said completing the negotiations during a worldwide crisis was an important task.
“For PWTransit to protect jobs and keep the contract with the City of Airdrie, it is going to keep many people employed,” he said. “On top of that, the wages we have earned for these employees will also have benefits. It will ensure they won’t have to rely on government subsidies.”
James Vine, director of operations in Alberta with PWTransit, said reaching the agreement was a positive step, especially considering negotiations lasted as long as they did.
“We had to start from scratch on a number of things,” he said. “We are happy that we have a deal that is ratified and gives us stability in Airdrie for the next four-plus years.”
Vine noted PWTransit’s contract with the City of Airdrie is set to expire this year. He said the company is in the process of trying to re-secure the transit operations contract with the municipality, adding a new collective agreement is “helpful in that regard.”
“If we do retain the contract, it will set us up to provide uninterrupted service for the foreseeable future,” he said.
Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz
