The Tucson transit service Sun Tran has reached a new collective bargaining agreement with its drivers, avoiding a strike.
Teamsters Local 104, the union which represents Sun Tran bus and streetcar drivers, ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement on Sunday after the union voted to authorize a strike on June 7.
The previous CBA had expired at midnight on June 30.
In a statement, the union said 75% of members agreed to the new CBA, which “delivered the most significant Operator safety improvements achieved in our bargaining history.”
The new agreement focuses heavily on safety, including new protective barriers for drivers, giving drivers the right to act during safety incidents, expanded safety training, counseling and trauma services, emergency alarms and expanded police and private security deployments at transit stops.
The agreement also includes competitive wages, retirement benefits and additional bus stop cleaning, according to a statement from Sun Tran.
Additionally, the union will have a greater role in developing safety policies and procedures, and will be able to review data related to assaults, substance abuse and safety incidents that occur on Sun Tran transit.
The union said too often its concerns have gone unheard, minimized and dismissed, but the new agreement has secured all “bargainable” safety improvements.
Sun Tran said the agreement aligns with the city of Tucson’s transit safety and security action plan and the voter-approved Pima County regional transportation plan.
RTA Next was approved by voters in March and dedicates $51 million for regional transit safety and security, including $2.15 million annually for the city of Tucson.
“As we move forward, the safety of our employees and the public remains our highest priority,” said Mikel Oglesby, the general manager for Sun Tran. “We are committed to providing safe, reliable, and dependable transportation every day while continuing to serve the Tucson community with service excellence.”
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