Bus driver union gives green light to contract with King County Metro

After negotiating for 15 months, King County and its bus drivers have struck a tentative deal.

The union that represents King County Metro's drivers approved a contract with the county on Aug. 15. Negotiations initially began in May 2022.

The contract still has to be approved by the King County Council.

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"The contract – which covers maintenance workers, bus drivers, train drivers, and other frontline employees – will provide approximately a 17% wage increase over three years, codifies a number of attraction and retention measures, better pay progression for new, part-time bus operators, and sign-on bonuses,” Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 President Ken Price said in a statement. “These are opportunities that current Transit workers deserve. And they will help us bring more workers into the workforce to meet the needs of our county.”

The contract also establishes a $3,000 recruitment incentive for new employees. Existing employees will get a $2,500 bonus for approving the deal, as well as a $2,500 retention bonus.

The Amalgamated Transit Union represents more than 4,000 members, including Metro's bus drivers, as well as operators on Sound Transit's Link light rail and the Seattle Streetcar.

Progress on the union contract comes as King County Metro strives to overcome staffing woes. In June, the transit agency agreed to welcome back drivers who were previously let go for not complying with Covid-19 policies. Also in June, Metro cancelled a handful of bus routes. Other cuts could come in September.