CATS operators, negotiators reach new agreement to avoid bus drivers strike

Representatives of the Charlotte Area Transit System union and negotiators have come to a new agreement after months of negotiations, Channel 9 has learned.

CATS bus drivers voted to strike in early January after saying the relationship between themselves and the company was strained.

Saturday evening, bus operators of SMART Local 1475 ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with a vote margin of 20 to 1.

SMART Local said the new contract calls for significant wage increases, double time for holidays and for Juneteenth to be added as an additional holiday.

The contract will also provide night differential pay, as well as increase the pension cap, according to SMART Local.

SMART Local said changes can to the bidding for work processes that favor operators are to be expected and all wage increases are retroactive to July 1 of 2022.

“I would like to thank the negotiations committee consisting of General Chairperson Joseph Paglia, Vice General Chairperson and Local President Christy Kiser, Local Chairperson Stanley Valentine, Secretary & Treasurer Chris Johnson and Local Committee of Adjustment Secretary Sabrina White for their hard work and tireless effort to deliver a package that the members would accept,” SMART Transportation Division Bus Department Vice President Calvin Studivant said. “The negotiations took more than nine months to complete, but the committee stayed focused on the task at hand and they delivered.”

Sunday, CATS released a statement saying they encouraged both parties to reach a mutually beneficial agreement throughout this process and they were happy to see both parties reach an agreement.

“I am very thankful for the hard work that has gone into reaching this agreement,” CATS Interim CEO Brent Cagle said. “This agreement aligns with our values at the City of Charlotte. It focuses on the employee, which is our most valuable asset. This new contract calls for significant wage increases, making our operator positions among the top paid on the east coast. We will continue to work with RATPDev and SMART Union bus operators, so we can continue to provide essential mobility solutions that connect communities to opportunity, places and each other.”

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: CATS bus driver union votes to strike after no deal reached

Channel 9′s Glenn Counts spoke with passengers about the agreement.

One said she was happy she didn’t have to worry about a stoppage.

“I’ll be sure that I can get to my destination for my part-time job, cause that’s usually what I use the bus for. To get to some events that they have in Charlotte that are not accessible from my house,” passenger Cecil Felton said.

Another passenger expressed excitement for the bus drivers saying, “I’m definitely happy for them, I’m happy for everyone.”

(WATCH BELOW: Safety, working conditions emphasized in external review of CATS)