• Competitive wage will help DDOT recruit and retain bus operators, improve service level
• Performance incentives provide opportunity to earn additional compensation based on attendance and safety record
• Raise will go into effect immediately upon approval by City Council in November and will be retroactive to July 1.

Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26, which represents more than 500 DDOT bus operators, yesterday ratified a new contract that upon City Council approval will give them an immediate $6 per hour wage increase, Mayor Mike Duggan, ATU President Schetrone Collier and Executive Director of Transit Robert Cramer announced today. The increase brings starting and maximum base wages in line with what SMART currently offers its drivers.  The contract was ratified with 98% of voting members supporting.

Starting Hourly Pay                               Max Hourly Pay
DDOT Current:        $19.56                    DDOT Current:        $26.18
DDOT (New):             $25.38                     DDOT (New):            $32.18
SMART:                     $25.87                      SMART:                    $32.34
Lansing:                     $26.44                     Lansing:                    $33.05    
Ann Arbor:                $28.09                      Ann Arbor:               $33.05
 

Additional performance incentives for attendance and safety give DDOT drivers the opportunity to take home more than their counterparts at other transit systems in the region. 

Under the existing contract drivers have been able to earn quarterly bonuses based on attendance, which has carried over into the new contract. Under the new contract, drivers also can earn quarterly bonuses based on their safety record. Attendance incentives are provided to drivers who have no more than one unplanned absence per quarter, while safety incentives are provided for drivers with no preventable accidents in a quarter.   

“Over the past 12 years, we have steadily increased the amount DDOT drivers are paid but continue to lose a lot of our drivers to SMART because it traditionally has paid more,” said Mayor Duggan. “With this new contract, for the first time, bus drivers can take home more if they work for DDOT and meet their performance marks.” 

In addition to the wage increase and performance incentives, drivers will receive an annual cost of living increase each July 1 during the contract.  The Mayor thanked his HR Director Denise Starr for her considerable efforts over the past two months to negotiate the new contract and earn the support of union leadership. 

Members of ATU Local 26 support the new contract and appreciate the value placed on their essential work, according to President Schetrone Collier.

“The passing of the ATU Local 26’s new contract represents progress not only for our members, but for the entire community that depends on safe, reliable and efficient transportation,” said Collier. “We thank our riders and supports for standing with us as we work toward a fair and sustainable transit system for all.” 

Mayor Mike Duggan shares a light-hearted moment with the President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26 Schetrone Collier at the announcement of ATU's new contract with the City. 
 

The approved contract will be submitted to Detroit City Council for approval in November before the end of the Council meetings calendar for the year.  The contract will take immediate effect upon Council approval. 

“One of our largest hurdles in overcoming long wait times and improving reliability within our transportation system has been retaining our DDOT drivers,” said City Council President and Mayor-elect, Mary Sheffield. “This wage increase will help us keep skilled drivers on the road and raise our service standards, while also providing competitive pay and incentives to enhance both service and safety on our streets. This increase signals to our drivers that we value their service and are committed to investing in the people who keep Detroit moving.”

The cost for the wage increase will be paid for partially from additional revenue the city will be receiving from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recently approved transportation funding bill. The added cost also will be partially defrayed by lower training costs, since the competitive wages will reduce the number of trainees who leave the department for better pay elsewhere. 

"DDOT's operators are the public face of our transit system - dedicated professionals who take pride in safely connecting residents to the places and people that matter most,” executive transit director Robert Cramer said, "This new contract represents a continued investment by the Mayor and City Council reflective of their essential role and supporting rewarding and sustaining careers."

Mayor Mike Duggan, Mayor Elect & City Council President Mary Sheffield and Executive Director of Transit Robert Cramer at the Rosa Parks Transit Center to announce the city's new contract with the city's bus operators union
 

City, DDOT & union officials join with happy transit advocates to celebrate well deserved raises being approved for DDOT bus operators.