ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — A three-year TCAT contract has been ratified. 

Union members voted Tuesday in favor of the deal, which was reached between the transit company and UAW Local 2300 last month. The contract includes a minimum rest period of 10 hours between shifts and pay increases.

“TCAT is very excited about implementing the terms of the new contract, which will bring new highly competitive wages, new premiums for training and night work, as well as a number of non-economic benefits including expanded rest periods,” TCAT General Manager Matthew Rosenbloom-Jones said.

According to a statement from TCAT, “starting hourly wages of $26.94 for bus operators and $28.25 for mechanics with a provision for employees to reach the top of the wage scale through yearly increases within a shorter period of time. All wage increases will be retroactive to the start of 2025.”

“This agreement furthers TCAT’s commitment to remaining a Tompkins County living wage employer as well as shortening the progression to maximum wage to 3 years,” Rosenbloom-Jones said. “Overall, this agreement will help further recruitment and retention efforts that are a central part of returning TCAT to pre-COVID service levels and addresses many of the important priorities for both TCAT and the UAW.”

Union leaders say approval came by a wide margin of 88%.