Anne Arundel County bus drivers and aides have voted to ratify a new contract with major gains for employees.
The drivers and aides are employees of Annapolis Bus Company (ABC) and RE Wilson. They are represented by UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, and the new contract contains significant improvements in wages, benefits, and offers access to affordable health insurance.
The agreement came in a vote by union members this week after months of negotiations and even a strike authorization, which shows how poorly communications had broken down. In the end, though, ratification was nearly unanimous. RE Wilson employees voted 100% in favor of the contract, and ABC drivers and aides voted 96% in favor.
“This contract is a clear win for our members,” said Ray Lee, special assistant to the president of UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO. “These drivers and aides stood together, demanded respect, and won an agreement that reflects the value of their work transporting the county’s children safely to and from school every day.”
The new agreement includes wage enhancements, improved benefits that strengthen protections for workers and their families, and a path to adequate and affordable health care – one of the top issues in the negotiations.
“This fight was always about fairness and dignity,” Lee said. “Our members made it clear they weren’t going to settle for bare-minimum health care. Their unity and determination delivered this victory.”
The new contract goes into effect immediately.
