Dec 2, 2025 Bargaining Update

Bargaining Update – 12/2/25

Today your ATU bargaining team met with Community Transit, joined by Facilities Maintenance committee member, Jesse Cain.

We opened the morning with a strong presentation from Elisio Acosta, ATU’s International Workforce Development Coordinator, who flew in from California to support us today. He provided information on mentorship and apprenticeship program models that are already being followed at agencies like LA Metro and TriMet with great success. 

Our contract already requires CT and ATU to work together on building a Journey Training program, something we’ve never had before, and the agency has committed to developing it with us in the long term. The presentation today demonstrated that these proven templates could help to create a program that truly supports growth and opportunity for our Facilities members.

In the afternoon, CT brought a package of counterproposals for Article 30 (Facilities Maintenance), covering Lead staffing requirements, Shift Bidding, Licensing Pay, Acting Lead assignments, Out-of-Classification pay, and PTO bidding.

They did not bring a counter to our proposal on Electronic Systems Tech, and we will follow up with our response. 

Your bargaining team is reviewing all counterproposals closely to make sure that any movement protects our rights and strengthens working conditions.

ATU also raised a serious safety concern today regarding a recent graveyard-shift vehicle accident where no supervisor or dispatch support was available to provide support. CT has committed to reviewing their internal process and keeping the union apprised and involved as needed improvements are made. 

Our next full bargaining session with CT is next week on December 10, where we’ll be focusing on the Instructor group. 

We’re nearing the economic phase of bargaining — usually the last part of the process. Please stay updated and stay united. Your solidarity is our strength at the table, and it truly makes a difference. We’re committed to thoughtful, determined progress every step of the way.

In Solidarity, 

ATU 1576 Bargaining Team