Metro has reached an agreement with the union representing its bus and train operators, and is looking to fill more positions. (photo courtesy of Metro)

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors has approved a new five-year contract agreement with the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Union, representing bus and rail operators and scheduling analysts.

“[It was] a historic day for Metro and our union representing the men and women who operate our fleet of buses and trains, and really represents true collaboration and leadership from both Metro and our workers reflecting our shared commitment to serving the people of our region,” said Metro Board chairman and Glendale City Council Member Ara J. Najarian.

The contract agreement ensures fair and equitable labor for both the agency and for Metro employees and their families, a major milestone as the region recovers from the pandemic.

“Our bus and train operators have been there when we needed them the most, and I want to thank them for their tireless commitment to the people of L.A. County,” Metro CEO Stephanie N. Wiggins said. “This new agreement with SMART provides our bus and rail operators with competitive salaries and benefits, helping us to improve retention, grow our operator ranks and improve performance to deliver a transit experience that exceeds our customers’ expectations.”

The agreement gives Metro the ability to hire full-time bus operators and recruit train operators while providing flexibility in scheduling without impacting existing staffing.  One of the lessons learned from the pandemic was the need to address fatigue and stress. The agreement also reduces the amount of call backs for full-time employees.

“This is an historic, record setting contract agreement,” said John M. Ellis, general chairman for the union, known as SMART-TD GO-875. “We believe that this new contract represents a significant improvement and protection in wages and benefits for our 4,600-plus members and their families. The overwhelmingly positive vote was a strong indicator that union members were pleased with the agreement and the new contract represents a monumental accomplishment.”

The new contract provides a starting wage of $23 an hour, an increase from the current $20.49 an hour, with a top rate increasing from $33.21 to $42.07 per hour for full time operators. Additionally, the time it takes to progress to the top rate is reduced from 11 to five years. The average annual adjustments is 3.4% compounded annually over the life of the contract. The new agreement will require a budget increase estimated at $46.5 million, which is 5% of Metro’s total $8.8-billion budget for fiscal year 2023. Salary adjustments will be retroactive to July 1.

With the new agreement in place, Metro has scheduled a series of bus operator hiring events. A Metro hiring fair will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Rio Hondo College, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier; and on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Metro’s Operator Central Instruction, 490 Bauchet St. in Los Angeles.

For information, visit metro.net/about/careers.