• News
  • Business
  • Donate
  • Features
    • Opinions
    • Arts & Style
    • Video
    • Photos
    • Interviews
    • Audio
  • About Us
  • New Americans Business Magazine
  • Contact
  • News
  • Business
  • Donate
  • Features
    • Opinions
    • Arts & Style
    • Video
    • Photos
    • Interviews
    • Audio
  • About Us
  • New Americans Business Magazine
  • Contact
Popular
Recent
Comments
Tags
  • U. S. 2020 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program opens Wednesday, Oct, 3

    October 1, 2018

    Feyi Tolani: An Advocate-In-Nursing

    November 1, 2018

    America’s Immigration Debate: The “Danger of Telling a Single Story.”

    February 13, 2017
  • March Madness creates Unthinkable Moments

    March 28, 2023

    Three first-time teams make 2023 Men’s Final ...

    March 27, 2023

    Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation North America ...

    March 22, 2023
  • Good job, sir!

    January 12, 2021

    I'm call Haji I live the dadaab comp I am a refuge ...

    October 12, 2020

    Narayan vai, you spoke the truth about the importa ...

    September 6, 2020
  • Zimbabwe Youths Youth Foundation Younger Ohioans Yoga International Day Yoga Day X Gender Passport Worthington Christian School World Food Day World Cup 2022 World Cup Workplace Women's Commission Women's Big 10 Women Basketball Women and Families Wisconsin Badgers Who wins Ohio 2018 elections? When DACA Calls Westerville schools Wellness Walk Weekend Weddings/Funerals Wedding banquet Wear Masks
  • March Madness creates Unthinkable Moments

  • Three first-time teams make 2023 Men’s Final ...

  • Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation North America ...

  • Columbus Mayor Ginther highlights safety in State ...

  • Ohio State Women reach for NCAA Basketball last ei ...

  • Rep. Dontavius Jarrells returns to alma mater to g ...

  • Ohio Governor DeWine Approves $575,000 for Teen Dr ...

  • Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine and Moms2B work to red ...

  • Amy Harcar focuses lens on White Hall City Council ...

  •  CRIS, Columbus Division of Police build Community ...

  • Amy Harcar focuses lens on White Hall City Council ...

  • Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine and Moms2B work to red ...

  • Ohio Governor DeWine Approves $575,000 for Teen Dr ...

  • Rep. Dontavius Jarrells returns to alma mater to g ...

  • Ohio State Women reach for NCAA Basketball last ei ...

  • Columbus Mayor Ginther highlights safety in State ...

  • Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation North America ...

  • Three first-time teams make 2023 Men’s Final ...

  • March Madness creates Unthinkable Moments

  •  CRIS, Columbus Division of Police build Community ...

Previous Next

COTA signs labor agreement with Workers Union to effectively serve Central Ohio

Posted by: New Americans Magazine , October 18, 2018
Joanna Pinkerton, President/CEO

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) Board of Trustees has approved a collective bargaining agreement between Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 208 and COTA at a special meeting on October 17 to effectively serve and meet the growing demands in Central Ohio.

A statement by the Director of Government Affairs and Special Projects, Patrick Harris said that, “The agreement, which was approved by Local 208 membership on October 16, is a unified step toward positioning COTA to support the growing Central Ohio region with innovative, fixed-route and demand-focused mobility solutions. The contract was executed at the Trustees meeting and is effective retroactively to Jan. 1, 2018, through December 28, 2020.”

“Since accepting the CEO position at COTA, one thing has been clear: We have a talented and dedicated workforce passionate about meeting the mobility needs of the Central Ohio community,” said Joanna Pinkerton, COTA President/CEO.

“Looking forward, we have a lot to do. The region is growing by leaps and bounds. A strategic, nimble transit system is needed more than ever, and COTA will lead the way as a mobility systems integrator. We are excited for what the future holds and look forward to serving in new, innovative ways,”  she said.

Pinkerton praised TWU Local 208 President Andrew Jordan and its membership for their leadership, patience, dedication and insight throughout the negotiation process.

According to her, “I feel confident that the agreement reached today positions COTA, its nearly 700 operators, 145 vehicle maintenance technicians, and the entire team well for the future.”

TWU Local 208, whose membership includes COTA operators, vehicle maintenance technicians and cleaners, took proactive steps to address members’ concerns during the negotiation period.

TWU Local 208 President Andrew Jordan said, “We represent hard-working Central Ohioans who deliver quality, dependable service each and every day. We feel our members’ voices were present throughout the bargaining process, and this agreement allows Local 208 members to continue to move forward in their career endeavors.”

“Today marks a significant step forward for this organization and for the community, which relies on COTA,” said COTA Board Chair Trudy Bartley. “With the contract resolution process behind us, the board now turns its attention toward advancing an aggressive agenda that will address the mobility needs of the region with this talented, passionate team. We appreciate COTA’s leadership for their commitment to this positive result for employees and the community.”

Achievements of the agreement between COTA and TWU Local 208 include:

  • Trust-building between Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) Management and Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 208 membership
  • Enhanced workforce and training opportunities for employees
  • Modifications to the structure of COTA’s vehicle maintenance department to train for industry-leading skill sets and provide additional paths to promotion for maintenance technicians.
  • Creation of new operator scheduling process that allows for future on-demand service opportunities
  • Continuing to ensure that COTA continues to maintain sound financial stewardship of public resources.

Key provisions of the agreement:

  • A 3% wage increase effective 10/18/2018, 1/1/2019, and 1/2/2020. A lump sum payment will be paid after ratification to make all covered employees whole for pay between 1/1/2018 and 10/17/2018.
  • Ohio Public Employee Retirement (PERS) pick-up paid by COTA on behalf of employee is reduced by 0.5% each year of the Agreement. At the end of the three-year Agreement, the pick-up rate will be reduced from 2.25% to 0.75%.
  • Employee premium contribution rates are unchanged at 8% for those who meet their wellness goals. The 20% (participant using nicotine) and 25% (non-participant) contribution levels remain unchanged.
  • Employee premium contribution rates increase from 12% to 14% for employees who do not meet their wellness program goals.
  • The agreement introduces a new classification of Operator. “Flex Board” Operators will operate vehicles owned or leased by COTA to provide-on-demand public transit in areas as defined by the Authority, including first-and-last mile service.
  • The new vehicle maintenance training structure provides additional employee training opportunities and once fully qualified, employees will have the ability to work in all areas of the Vehicle Maintenance Department. Changes also allow for increased financial opportunities for Vehicle Maintenance employees to advance as they become trained and qualified in new skills.
Post Views: 1,944

Tags: COTA agrees with TWU

Share!
Tweet

New Americans Magazine

About the author

Deba Uwadiae is an international journalist, author, global analyst, consultant, publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the New Americans Magazine Group, Columbus, Ohio. He is a member of the Ohio Legislative Correspondents Association, OCLA.

Related Posts

COTA offers free bus service to Veteran, active military Nov. 11

Team COTA, the Central Ohio Transit Authority transportation service will provide transit with ...

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Advertisement

0
Popular
Recent
Comments
  • U. S. 2020 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program opens Wednesday, Oct, 3

    October 1, 2018

    Feyi Tolani: An Advocate-In-Nursing

    November 1, 2018

    America’s Immigration Debate: The “Danger of Telling a Single Story.”

    February 13, 2017
  • March Madness creates Unthinkable Moments

    March 28, 2023

    Three first-time teams make 2023 Men’s Final ...

    March 27, 2023

    Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation North America ...

    March 22, 2023
  • Good job, sir!

    January 12, 2021

    I'm call Haji I live the dadaab comp I am a refuge ...

    October 12, 2020

    Narayan vai, you spoke the truth about the importa ...

    September 6, 2020

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016

Contact Form


1+1=


American international journalist and author of "The Immigrant on Columbus Way: A True Life Guide To Settling Down As A New Immigrant To America "

Current/Past Issues

  • DailyNews
  • Hotels
  • Hotwire
  • Merchantic
  • Reference
  • Thesaurus
  • Urbanspoon

All used images are licensed by The New Americans Magazine.

Copyright © 2018 The New Americans Magazine | Layout and design by LiQiD inc