VT: CCTA Goals & Next Steps in Contract Negotiations

The Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) and its drivers’ union, the Teamsters Local No. 597, continue to work to reach an agreement on a new three-year collective bargaining agreement.

CCTA and the drivers’ negotiating team began work on a new agreement in April 2013 and met 10 times between May and the end of August, with five sessions facilitated by a professional from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).

CCTA has four main goals for the new collective bargaining agreement:

• To improve the quality of full-time driver positions by increasing the number having regular weekly schedules.
•  To clarify work rules for drivers.
•  To improve overall driver working conditions by establishing work rules for a limited number of part-time drivers, without impacting the full-time status of any current employees.
• Mindful that CCTA is a taxpayer-funded organization, to increase compensation for drivers in balance with the cost of living.

Negotiations will now continue through a process known as fact-finding. Both parties will be providing information to a mutually agreed upon Fact-Finder. This process will take place over the next several months and conclude with a recommended settlement proposed by the fact-finder.

CCTA values its drivers and the work they do to serve our passengers and the community. We look forward to reaching an agreement and continuing to work together to offer a vital public service.