SMART drivers' union agrees to new contract, becoming highest-paid in the state

SMART bus drivers just became the highest-paid bus operators in the state of Michigan after a new contract between the Amalgamated Transit Union and the SMART board was ratified on Thursday.

According to a release from SMART, the ATU shook hands on a new contract that includes a 32% wage increase, an enhanced 401(a) retirement plan, health care improvements and a strong tuition and student loan repayment program. The wage increase will come in two parts, with an immediate 24% increase followed by an 8% increase at the start of the new year.

According to the ATU, with the full 32% increase, new drivers will see a starting wage of $26.95 an hour — the highest starting wage for bus drivers in the state. Long-term employees can expect to net up to $32.34 an hour.

In a statement, Dwight Ferrell, general manager of SMART, said the contract marks a "pivotal advancement for SMART," which faced pressure from the public to agree on a new contract.

"This is more than a contract;" Ferrell said. "It's a commitment to our workforce's well-being and professional fulfillment."

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500 days without a contract

The contract comes a week after the ATU picketed a SMART board meeting , with a number of advocates and bus drivers coming out to offer public comment, asking the board to reach a new agreement with its drivers.

While pressure mounted from unionized SMART drivers, pressure also came from the city of Detroit's bus service, DDOT, which recently raised wages for its drivers, outpacing SMART's old wages.

At the picket, Kevin Colon, president of the ATU, told the Free Press that SMART had been "dragging their feet" throughout the bargaining process, which led to 22 months without a new contract.

A week later, Colon is still frustrated, but glad to move forward with a contract.

"It's been a long road, so I'm glad it's done," he said.

Colon feels a lot was left at the bargaining table.

"This outcome is not without reservations," Colon said, citing a desire for a pension plan for new drivers and a forgiving attendance policy, something the SMART board was unwilling to budge on. "The new provisions in this contract do not meet our expectations or address all the critical issues we have fought for."

Regardless of what was conceded, Colon hopes that with the new highest wage in the state, SMART drivers will feel happier behind the wheel.

"We have got to make sure operators are well-trained and happy to do their job," Colon said.

Reporter Liam Rappleye can be reached at Lrappleye@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: SMART drivers' union agrees to new contract, becoming highest-paid in the state