Thursday, October 1, 2026
Intercity Transit approved a new contract with the union that represents its bus drivers on Wednesday, May 21.
The transit agency and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1765, which also represents Dial-A-Lift dispatchers and customer care representatives, started negotiating in November 2024.
Negotiations dragged on largely because of a disagreement about wage increases. The two parties reached a tentative agreement in April after they entered into mediation through the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission.
Union members demanded better pay due to the higher costs of living, while the agency cautioned against that demand due to its long-term financial outlook. (See related story: Intercity Transit, union at odds on wage increases)
Heather Stafford, the agency’s Director of Administrative Services, told the Intercity Transit Authority, the agency’s board of directors, the new contract includes a general wage increase, longevity pay, a family and wellness allowance, increased contribution plans for deferred compensation and additional paid leave.
The contract takes effect retroactively from Jan. 1 through the end of 2027.
Bert George, a member of the union’s bargaining team, told the authority that a vast majority of the union voted to ratify the contract. According to George, 196 members voted yes while only two voted no.
“Thank you to the IT team. It's been a hard-fought battle, and once this is done, we can mend some of the bridges,” George said.
George also thanked the members of their bargaining team, which included Mark Newville, who is a member of the authority, Jeremy Smith, Kierstin Price, Alena Parisi, Neil Ward, Jim Bush and Jim Jameson.
Stafford also took time to acknowledge their own negotiation team, which included the following personnel:
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