No transit service interruptions are expected with The City of Red Deer and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 569 now moving to voluntary third-party interest arbitration as part of the current collective bargaining process.
The City is working with the ATU to finalize the terms of arbitration and to select an arbitrator; a hearing will then be scheduled.
“We are pleased with the mutual agreement to move to binding arbitration to reach a resolution,” said Tracy Bruce, Human Resources Manager. “We know how important transit service is to our customers in Red Deer, and we value our transit employees and the work they do. This decision to move to arbitration allows The City and the ATU to reach a settlement in a timely manner, proceeding with a decision that considers both transit employees and the organization, without compromising service for our community.”
In advance of a decision to move to arbitration, The City of Red Deer and ATU completed eight days of bargaining and one day of mediation. The City received notice on Friday, September 1, 2023, of ATU’s decision to cease mediation, triggering a provincially mandated 14 day “cooling off” period. Following this period, there was a decision by both parties to move to binding arbitration.
Approximately 130 unionized (ATU) transit workers are employed by The City of Red Deer, including transit drivers, dispatch, and maintenance workers.
For more information about Red Deer Transit, visit www.reddeer.ca/transit
More information about the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569 can be found at www.atu569.ca