MARTA tells ATU to end labor action, abide by new agreement

Despite a positive bargaining session last week that resulted in a signed agreement between the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 732, 80 union members staged a "sick-out" yesterday that affected bus service, the agency announced.

MARTA officials have notified union leaders they will file a court injunction to end the labor action, agency leaders said in a press release. The officials also demanded that ATU leaders take immediate action to disavow the sick-out and direct their members to return to work.

The parties have negotiated for months before finally coming to a wage agreement, MARTA officials said. The tentative agreement covers rail and bus operators, mechanics and other skilled technicians.

If ratified, the agreement would provide an across-the-board pay raise of 3 percent per year for three years, plus an additional 25 cents per hour as a longevity premium for all employees with 20-plus years of service. The pact also would implement an immediate parity pay adjustment of 50 cents per hour for all rail and bus operators, and $1 per hour for mechanics and other skilled technicians.

Moreover, it calls for a $1,000 retro/ratification payment for full-time employees and $500 payment for part-time workers if the agreement is ratified by March 1.

"I am deeply disappointed in the actions of some ATU Local 732 members," said MARTA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Parker. "MARTA put a deal on the table that I believe is the best arrangement this union has ever received. The action is unacceptable and we will use every tool available to make sure our riders are not harmed by this work stoppage."