Metro and its largest union have tentatively agreed to a four-year labor contract that would allow the transit agency to give up its strategy of privatizing some operations to save money, the two sides said Tuesday.þThe unexpected deal, which resulted from months of secret negotiations between Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld and Raymond Jackson, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, appeared designed to win labor peace by removing the biggest point of contention between the agency and its workforce.þThe union has strongly objected to Metro’s privatization of operations at the Cinder Bed Road bus garage in Northern Virginia, where a strike by ATU Local 689 is underway, and its plans to privatize the second phase of the Silver Line rail extension.þThe new accord appeared likely to lead to an end to the garage strike, which has shut down or reduced service on Metrobus routes used by about 8,500 riders daily.þþThe deal also represented a significant reversal by Wiedefeld on privatization. He has said Metro needed to outsource some operations to private companies or risk breaking a 3 percent cap in the growth of annual subsidies it receives from the District, Maryland and Virginia.þþA joint statement by Metro and ATU Local 689, which represents about 8,000 Metro employees, called the deal “a major development” and said it “would create incentives for better customer service, enable Metro to live within its legally-required 3 percent subsidy growth cap, and create a path to bring in-house work performed at Cinder Bed Road bus garage and on the Silver Line.”þThe four-year collective-bargaining agreement would take effect when the current contract expires June 30. It requires approval by both the Metro board and ATU membership.þþThe joint statement said the agreement “has benefits for both labor and management,” but details about wages and benefits were withheld for now. That is to allow Jackson time to inform his union members and Wiedefeld to brief the Metro board.þ“After many months of negotiation, we reached a good deal for our employees that also provides our board of directors with an affordable option for bus and rail service for the next four years,” Wiedefeld said.þþ“I am pleased to have a deal that I can recommend to my members,” Jackson said. “This deal will help safeguard our jobs against privatization. This deal would benefit all of our members and solidify transit careers as a pathway to the middle class. We look forward to providing details to our members as soon as possible.”þConversations between Metro and the union over the agreement began in the spring, with serious negotiations starting in July between Wiedefeld and Jackson.þþIn April 2017, Wiedefeld proposed outsourcing some Metro operations to private companies where it would be cost effective. He did so as part of a broad plan to hold down costs and encourage the District, Maryland and Virginia to provide Metro with dedicated funding, which they agreed to do last year.
Source: Washington Post
