VT: CCTA Goals & Next Steps in Contract Negotiations

Sept. 6, 2013
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.

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.