A contentious months-long dispute that almost led to a major transit strike in Santa Barbara County has been resolved.
Union members have reportedly ratified a new three-year agreement.
The Santa Barbara MTD released a statement saying a majority of bus operators and operations supervisors represented by the Teamsters voted to support the deal. It would give them an 11.25% wage increase over 36 months. A deal with the union representing maintenance personnel was ratified in August.
The agreement still needs final approval from the MTD’s Board of Directors, which is expected to happen this week. The MTD operates 42 routes in southern Santa Barbara County, and reported carrying 4.6 million passengers during its 2023-2024 fiscal year.
