LOS ANGELES — Transit agency LA Metro has approved a new five-year agreement with the union representing Metro rail and bus operators and scheduling analysts.
The agreement with more than 4,600 members of International Assoication of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD) local GO-875 includes an average annual raise of 3.4% compounded over the life of the contract. It raises starting pay from $20.49 an hour to $23 an hour; increases the top rate from $33.21 to $42.07; and reduces the time needed to reach the top rate from 11 to five years. It will add an additional $46.5 million to Metro’s yearly budget.
“This new agreement with SMART provides our bus and rail operators with competitive salaries and benefits,” Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said in a press release, “helping us to improve retention, grow our operator ranks, and improve performance to deliver a transit experience that exceeds our customers’ expectations.”
Union general chairman John M. Ellis said the “overwhelmingly positive vote was a strong indicator that union members were pleased with the agreement and the new contract represents a monumental accomplishment.”
