TWU Local 100 Bus Operators and Maintainers at Liberty Lines Transit voted 282 to 30 to ratify a new 5-year contract with the Westchester County company.
The ratification vote took place at the Yonkers and Valhalla Depots on Thursday, March 18, 2021.
The contract delivers raises, an improved pension, and other benefits, for more than 600 drivers and maintainers.
TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano said the union achieved each of its four major pre-bargaining goals on wages, dental, pension and sick days.
“It’s a solid contract, and we secured it during challenging economic times,” Local 100 President Tony Utano. “I want to thank all of the officers for their hard work in getting this deal done, and I want to thank the members for their support throughout the negotiations.”
Highlights of the contract include an 11-percent compounded wage increase over the five-year agreement as follows:
Effective March 1, 2021, a 1.75% increase.
Effective March 1, 2022, a 2.0% increase.
Effective March 1, 2023, a 2.25% increase.
Effective March 1, 2024, a 2.5% increase.
Effective March 1, 2025, a 2.5% increase.
On pension, the union secured a $10 increase in the multiplier formula, from the current $105.00 per month times years of service to $115.00 per month times years of service for all years of service. The new formula would go into effect for those who retire after Jan. 1, 2022. (That’s $10 more a month with the calculation going back to your date of hire. So if you worked 25 years and retire tomorrow, it’s another $250 a month on top of what you were getting before)
The union secured a much-improved dental plan under the National Plan Plus, another pre-bargaining goal.
For the first time, the membership will get 7 days for sick time usage from among 3 personal days, two floating holidays and two sick days. Previously, the membership received six personal days a year, that in most cases, could not be converted for sick time because of a 48-hour notice rule, as well as other restrictions. The new sick program complies with the New York State Sick Leave Law.
On health care, the union maintained all benefits, and won a three-year freeze on employee contributions. After the three years, the plan’s finances will be reviewed in hopes of continuing the freeze.
On pension, the union won a full five-year freeze on additional employee contributions.
The union also secured increases in the uniform and cleaning allowances for Transportation, and the shoe and tool allowances for Maintenance.
In transportation, negotiators secured an increase in the Articulated Bus bonus from 25 cents per hour to $1.00 per hour, which will add approximately $225,000 in wages for Operators.
The sides also agreed on an upgraded “perfect attendance” bonus that could add one more day of additional pay for workers who hit the attendance mark for the entire year.
