Pittsburgh Regional Transit approves 4-year agreement with union

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s board approved a four-year collective bargaining agreement today with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85, which represents approximately 2,100 operators, mechanics and other system employees.

The agreement includes a 15% total wage increase over four years, modified health insurance plans, and work rule adjustments. Union members ratified the contract on Sunday following negotiations that began in March, after the previous four-year agreement expired on June 30 and a tentative deal was reached on Oct. 9.

Under the wage structure, employees will receive 4% pay raises in each of the first two years and 3.5% increases in each of the final two years. By 2027, the starting wage for a new operator will be nearly $34 an hour, with top pay exceeding $40 an hour.

Starting Jan. 1, 2027, new hires will reach the top pay rate after 36 months. This shortens the progression timeline by 12 months compared to the previous contract.

Health insurance changes will increase employee deductibles and copays for the first time since 2012 to help manage health care expenses. The agreement also increases seasonal service adjustments from three to four times annually to align transit operations with ridership trends.

Work rule updates establish a standard one-hour call-off requirement for employees unable to report to work, replacing a former rule based on estimated commute times. The contract also creates a joint management-union committee to evaluate maintenance work assignments throughout the system.

PRT Chief Executive Officer Katharine Kelleman commended the agreement and the role of transit workers across the county.

“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,” Kelleman said. “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.”

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