Local 171 President Delisa Brown meets with a Motorcoach Operator during voting for Local 171’s newest contract.
Transport Workers Union Local 171, representing Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority workers, won significant raises and better benefits in a newly ratified four-year contract. TWU Local 171 members, including Motorcoach Operators, Mechanics, Customer Service Agents and more, will receive a 14.5% pay increase over the life of the contract, along with a $3,500 signing bonus.
“Local 171 fought hard against attempts from management to erode longstanding benefits while winning significant pay increases in their latest contract,” TWU International Administrative Vice President Curtis Tate said. “We are happy to have ratified a new deal that will improve the lives of our members and their families.”
TWU members in Ann Arbor, working for TheRide, were working without a contract since April. Management attempted to roll back existing family leave policies and increase the amount members are currently paying for their healthcare. Local 171 beat back both proposals, keeping in place current leave policies and healthcare for current workers.
Longtime Local 171 President Delisa Brown received local news coverage for her fight against management attempts to decrease paid leave.
“This contract is a big win for our families,” Brown said. “Management wanted to remove the family and medical leave language completely along with maternity leave language and replace it with parental leave. This would cover a mother after the baby was born but she would not have the protected maternity leave before giving birth to her child. I’m proud we were able to negotiate an agreement that benefits families while giving everyone a major pay boost.”
Local 171 represents about 250 workers in Ann Arbor, who overwhelmingly voted in favor of the contract earlier this month. In addition to the pay increases, the deal includes a $500 per quarter perfect attendance bonus with an additional $500 for a year of perfect attendance, an increase in dental and orthodontic coverage, and time off benefits that are in excess of Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act.
“By the end of the contract, a senior Motorcoach Operator who currently tops out at $33 per hour will make over $38 per hour,” Brown said. “That is a gamechanger for our membership and I’m proud of the work that everyone at our local put in to get these negotiations over the line.”
