Drivers for Dallas Area Rapid Transit's paratransit service avoided a strike Tuesday after ratifying a contract with the company.
Leaders for the Amalgamated Transit Union local 1338 told KERA they reached a deal with TransDev, a company contracted by DART.
"It's been a long process," said Bernard Wade, executive vice president of the local union, which represents DART and paratransit employees. "We just ratified it at the last minute to avoid strikes."
The new deal was reached after nearly a week of negotiations. Wade called it a "good contract" that includes higher wages, vacation time and union recognition.
Drivers "wanted to be paid fairly, fair wages and you know, you want a fair day's work for a fair days of wages," Wade said. "Workers got more than what they wanted."
KERA has reached out to TransDev for comment on the deal.
Workers voted earlier this month to authorize a strike, alleging disrespect and "unfair" treatment by management. Stanley Smalls, a senior organizer for ATU's international office, said the contract had to be ratified last minute.
"Although we were able to get to a deal now, we have to rush twice as hard to relax the riding public who was on edge, whether they was going to get picked up tomorrow or the ... days ahead of us," Smalls said.
Pablo Arauz Peña is KERA’s growth and infrastructure reporter. Got a tip? Email Pablo at parauzpena@kera.org.
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