CT Bargaining Update Nov 11, 2025

ATU Bargaining Update: November 11, 2025
 
Dear Members,
 
Your ATU bargaining team met today at 9:00 AM and 1:30 PM with Community Transit to continue negotiations.
 
ATU 1576 Bargaining Team: Dani Julien, President; Lela Perkins, Vice President; Dave Thompson, Financial Secretary/Treasurer; Risë Gamble, Recording Secretary; Executive Board Officers Robert Gaines, Eric Adams, Max Lall, Eric Sullivan, William Love, and Jas Baines.
 
For Community Transit: Denise Gregory Wyatt, Jade Kutcher, Alex Askew, Tammy Hoveland, and Caton Randolf.
 
Morning Session: Term-Limited Positions
 
A major focus of today’s discussion was term-limited positions—roles that are meant to be temporary but can become a back door to bypass filling regular full-time jobs.
 
Our proposal makes it clear that these positions must include strong contractual safeguards to prevent misuse. We introduced language establishing clear definitions, duration limits, posting requirements, retreat rights, pay protections, and union oversight.
 
Our goal is simple: Term-Limited should create opportunities for our members, while full-time positions should be offered whenever there’s an ongoing need.
 
Afternoon Session: Budget and Seniority
 
In the afternoon, discussions continued around the term-limited classification and its connection to the agency’s budgetary process.Your bargaining team emphasized that stability and fairness for our members must remain the priority.
 
We also discussed creating a formal process to review and reconcile seniority lists, ensuring accuracy and transparency—especially given the multiple classifications and movement between roles within the bargaining unit.
 
Next Steps
 
We meet again on November 19th at the Everett Labor Temple. Community Transit will prepare a counterproposal on the term-limited language and the seniority provisions for Part-time and Full- time, as well as FTSI language and processes.
 
Throughout this bargaining process, ATU is using interest-based discussions to identify the issues that matter most and find solutions that move us forward. Your ATU team remains committed to protecting member rights, strengthening job security, and building progress through collaboration and unity.
 
 
In Solidarity,
Dani Julien, President
Lela Perkins, Vice President