New deal for staff at ACCESS-A-Ride

City of Lethbridge ACCESS-A-Ride staff will receive wage increases and benefits to align with those City Transit employees receive.

Last week, city council ratified a new three-year collective agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 987, which represents approximately 45 local ACCESS-A-Ride staff.

The agreement covers City of Lethbridge employees who deliver accessible transit services and are separate from the Lethbridge Transit employee group.

ACCESS-A-Ride staff will receive wage increases of 2.5 per cent effective Jan. 1, 2017 and 2018, plus an additional 0.5 per cent on July 1, 2018. On Jan. 1, 2019, they will receive an increase that matches any increase negotiated with Transit employees.

Employees will also be permitted to reaccumulate and bank overtime hours, capped at 37.5 hours.

“This agreement is fair to our valued ACCESS-ARIDE employees as well as the Lethbridge residents who rely on their services,” said Mayor Chris Spearman in a release. “It is aligned with City Council’s budget and financial plan for this term and provides labour stability for the City.”