Halifax Transit union signs long-awaited contract

The union representing Halifax Transit operators has a new contract, after nearly two years without one.

Shane O'Leary, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union 508, and Halifax Mayor Mike Savage signed the contract on May 4.

The contract, which is retroactive to Sept. 1, 2021, addressesmajor concerns including wages, more money for training and wage parity between drivers of accessible and conventional buses,according to O'Leary. Drivers of accessible buses were being paid $2 per hour less.

Transit operators will now see threeper cent annual wage increases each year over a four-year contractset to expireAug. 31, 2025.

O'Leary described the new contract as "acceptable," and said that 94 per cent of union members were satisfied with the deal.

"Even with what we believe is a good contract, we don't have labour peace," said O'Leary.

He says drivers are being attacked and abused by somepassengers, and workersaren't allowed to do much about it.

"They can be banned from the terminal, but then they can ride the buses or the ferries anywhere [else] at any point in time they want. There's no repercussions for their violent actions or their disturbing actions."

Hope for the future

After operations onsome routes were reduced overpast year or so due to staffing shortages, O'Leary said hehopeshigher wages and a securecontractwill help attract more transit operators.

"I hope that the new wages and the fact that we didn't lose any concessions will make it appealing for people to come and work," he said.

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