The AATA and TWU are reaching an agreement separate from the labor contract that covers agency shop fees and dues – which runs for 10 years, through 2023. The contract resets the full wage for newly hired drivers after three years to $21.50 per hour. The wage for current drivers with at least three years of experience is $24.50 per hour. The contract calls for a $0.50 an hour increase per year, except in the third year of the contract when the increase is $0.75 per hour.

The vote by the AATA board, authorizing CEO Michael Ford to sign the agreements with TWU, came at the board’s Jan. 17, 2013 board meeting. Dissenting on the vote was Eli Cooper, who expressed dissatisfaction that a copy of the labor agreement was not available to all board members before they were asked to vote.

This brief was filed from the downtown location of the Ann Arbor District Library at 343 S. Fifth, where the AATA board holds its meetings. A more detailed report will follow: [link]