The workers are the first new group of workers organized by Local 1005 in about 13 years, reported Local 1005 president Michelle Sommers. “They contacted us and the company recognized a card-check. That made it a lot easier.”

The workers voted 11-0 November 11 to accept a 3-1/2 year contract.

The contract increased the starting wage from $12.50 per hour to $13.25 per hour (effective June 1, 2007) and increased the top wage from $14.25 per hour to $15.25 per hour, with an additional 50 cents per year increase after six years of service.

In addition, the contract eliminated a punitive, highly discretionary system of docking workers for moving violations or accidents, every two-week pay period, replacing that system with an annual safety bonus.

In fact, in the course of contract negotiations, Sommers reported, a manager’s capricious decisions were exposed and the individual was fired.

“The new management has been working with us quite well,” Sommers said. “The working environment for the employees since they’ve gotten a union is much better.” With the contract, all employees are guaranteed fair and equitable treatment, Sommers said.

Another gain for the workers: in the past, they weren’t paid for 15 minutes of turn-around time at the end of each route. Under the new contract, they will be paid.

“All that little stuff adds up,” Sommers said.

Sommers said ATU Local 1005 seeks to continue organizing among workers at the suburban bus lines and is meeting with Teamsters Local 120 to strategize about which union should organize which companies.

“It would be a long-term goal to see all the transit operators in the Twin Cities organize,” Sommers said.

Steve Share edits the Minneapolis Labor Review, the official publication of the Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council. E-mail him at laborreview@mplscluc.com