The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority is planning to bump up the hourly wage for its new drivers, just one month ahead of union negotiations.
The budget presented to RFTA’s board of directors on Thursday includes a new starting salary for bus operators. After consulting with Mountain States Employers Council, RFTA Director of Finance Mike Yang told the board that RFTA falls short of comparable employers. MSE recommended starting wages begin at $18.61 instead of $18 dollars an hour.
The budget also accounts for a higher range of merit raises - up to 5 percent for jobs that are difficult to recruit for, including vehicle maintenance workers. If approved, the higher compensation levels would go into effect on January 1st.
The board decided to approve the budget in December, one month later than normal. That’s because labor union negotiations are scheduled for November 30th. One of the main issues is bus drivers’ compensation packages. Amalgamated Transit Union local 1774 President Ed Cortez says the proposed starting wage is higher than some current bus drivers are earning now. He says it would not be right for new hires to earn more than veteran drivers.
