PRT Board Approves Four-Year Labor Agreement with ATU Local 85
PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Board today approved a four-year collective bargaining agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 85, representing approximately 2,100 operators, mechanics, and other employees. The agreement includes wage increases totaling 15% over four years, changes to health insurance plans, and work rule improvements designed to increase efficiency and support the agency’s workforce.
The union ratified the agreement on Sunday, following negotiations that began in March. The previous four-year agreement expired on June 30, and the parties reached a tentative agreement on October 9.
“PRT’s mission to serve Allegheny County is driven by the employees who operate our vehicles, maintain our fleet, and keep our system running every day,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “This agreement recognizes their contributions, supports our employees, and helps ensure we can attract and retain the qualified workforce we need to provide reliable service to our riders for years to come.”
The contract provides wage increases totaling 15% over four years, with raises of 4% in each of the first two years and 3.5% in each of the final two years. Under the new agreement, the starting wage for a new operator in 2027 will be nearly $34 an hour, with the top rate exceeding $40 an hour.
The agreement also shortens the pay progression for new hires. Effective January 1, 2027, employees subject to the new-hire progression will reach the top pay rate after 36 months, 12 months sooner than under the previous agreement. The change is intended to strengthen PRT’s ability to recruit and retain employees.
The agreement includes changes to health insurance plan design. The changes increase employee deductibles and copays for the first time since 2012 while helping PRT manage rising health care expenses.
Seasonal service adjustments will increase from three to four times a year, giving PRT greater flexibility to respond to changing ridership trends and better align service with rider needs.
The agreement includes several work-rule changes intended to improve service reliability and operational efficiency. These include establishing a standard one-hour call-off requirement for employees who are unable to report to work, replacing the previous rule, which varied based on how long it would take an employee to travel to work, and the establishment of a joint management-union committee, which will identify and evaluate additional opportunities to improve how maintenance work is assigned and completed throughout the transit system.
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