Statements from Capital Metro Board Chairman and city of Austin Councilman Mike Martinez and Capital Metro President/CEO Linda S. Watson regarding the finalized collective bargaining Agreement signed by McDonald Transit and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1091.
"Capital Metro applauds McDonald Transit and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1091 for working together to negotiate and finalize a collective bargaining agreement. The agreement ensures quality bus service without interruption for the community and achieves agency goals from the very outset: to provide transparency to our labor structure; to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the agency; and to treat our employees fairly. The agreement also provides stability for the employees who work so diligently every day to deliver Capital Metro’s transit service to the community. They are the lifeblood of the agency."
— Linda S. Watson, Capital Metro president/CEO
"In 2011 when we voted to transition our service to private providers, my number one priority in ensuring a smooth transition, and that of my fellow Capital Metro board members, was to protect our bus operators and maintenance employees by being fair and responsible, and maintaining the quality of life for transitioning employees. That’s why we developed and included core terms as part of the procurement requirements that would protect employees’ wages and benefits. It’s great to hear that the finalized collective bargaining agreement had such broad support from the union membership. On behalf of the Capital Metro board, I commend both parties for their dedication to the community. Now we can continue to focus on serving the over 120,000 daily riders who depend on our services."
— Mike Martinez, Capital Metro chairman and city of Austin councilman
