Collective bargaining between the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority bus drivers' union and the operating company that contracts with the PVTA has stalled, and the union has decided to authorize a strike if necessary.
GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
SPRINGFIELD – The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority said Monday it is preparing for a possible bus drivers' strike if negotiations on a new contract fail.
The transit agency said it had been informed by DGR Management Inc., the management company with which it contracts its scheduled service, that the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 448 had approved a strike vote.
“A majority decision in a strike does not necessarily mean that the union will strike, but only that the members have authorized the bargaining unit leadership to do so,” the PVTA said in a statement.
DGR management and Local 448 have been in contract negotiations since March.
The PVTA does not participate in collective bargaining between its service operating partners and unions. Bus drivers and mechanics are employed by the Springfield Area Transit Company, the transit operator, and are not PVTA employees.
The 2025 state budget allocates $10 million more in operating assistance to all regional transit agencies than last fiscal year. The PVTA's share of that is about $3 million. Due to this increase in PVTA's operating funds, DGR management made a final offer to the union on August 7 for a three-year contract.
According to the PVTA, the offer includes, among other things, wage increases of 10% over the three-year term of the contract. As proposed to the union, the new top wage for drivers in the first year would be $32.81 per hour. In the second year, the top wage for drivers would be $33.63 per hour and in the third year, $34.47 per hour.
In addition to the wage adjustments, other highlights of the proposal, according to PVTA, include a 5% premium to regular hourly wages for all weekend hours, higher pension benefits, changes to the pay scale that would allow drivers to reach the highest hourly wage after just two years instead of the current five, and the inclusion of vision insurance in the benefits package offered.
“PVTA recognizes the potential impact the worker election could have on our riders,” the statement said. “Our riders rely on PVTA's transportation system to get to work, important appointments, school and more. And more importantly, few have other options to meet their transportation needs.”
The transport company hopes for an agreement without interruptions in operations.
