Detroit Evening Report: DDOT bus drivers to receive pay raise under new deal
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Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) bus drivers will see an immediate $3 per hour wage increase under a new deal announced this week between the city and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26.
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The increase would bring starting pay for new drivers up to $19.15 per hour from the current rate of $16.15 per hour, with maximum pay for DDOT workers employed for at least four years jumping to $25.61 per hour from the current cap of $22.61. Attendance bonuses will also increase from $1,000 to $1,500 for drivers with three or less unexcused absences per quarter, which the majority of DDOT drivers typically receive. While the current collective bargaining agreement does not expire until July 1, 2025, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said he reopened the contract 18 months early to give the drivers a well-deserved raise and improve employee retention. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26 President Schetrone Collier said he appreciates the move by the city’s administration to offer the wage increase before the contract expired, calling it a “great day for DDOT.” “I drove for DDOT for 34 years and know how important this wage increase is for our drivers,” Collier said in a news release. “But this is just as much for the public as it is our drivers. This increase will help us hire and retain more drivers, so the public can know when they are at a stop and need to get to work or the doctor, DDOT is going to show up when we are supposed to. That’s everyone’s goal.” DDOT currently has about 400 drivers with a goal of having 600 drivers on the road by the end of this year, the city reported. Duggan said his office will formally transmit the agreement to City Council by the end of this week for its approval. Once approved, the increases will take immediate effect. All other provisions of the contract remain unchanged. Other headlines for Friday, Jan. 4, 2024:
Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.
The increase would bring starting pay for new drivers up to $19.15 per hour from the current rate of $16.15 per hour, with maximum pay for DDOT workers employed for at least four years jumping to $25.61 per hour from the current cap of $22.61. Attendance bonuses will also increase from $1,000 to $1,500 for drivers with three or less unexcused absences per quarter, which the majority of DDOT drivers typically receive. While the current collective bargaining agreement does not expire until July 1, 2025, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said he reopened the contract 18 months early to give the drivers a well-deserved raise and improve employee retention. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26 President Schetrone Collier said he appreciates the move by the city’s administration to offer the wage increase before the contract expired, calling it a “great day for DDOT.” “I drove for DDOT for 34 years and know how important this wage increase is for our drivers,” Collier said in a news release. “But this is just as much for the public as it is our drivers. This increase will help us hire and retain more drivers, so the public can know when they are at a stop and need to get to work or the doctor, DDOT is going to show up when we are supposed to. That’s everyone’s goal.” DDOT currently has about 400 drivers with a goal of having 600 drivers on the road by the end of this year, the city reported. Duggan said his office will formally transmit the agreement to City Council by the end of this week for its approval. Once approved, the increases will take immediate effect. All other provisions of the contract remain unchanged. Other headlines for Friday, Jan. 4, 2024:
- The Gordie Howe International Bridge won’t open for travel until fall 2025, months later than anticipated, officials said Thursday.
- The Dearborn Public Library is offering free conversation circles for English learners every week on Wednesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 10 through March 7.
- The City of Hamtramck and the Hamtramck Alleyway Project is hosting a community meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, to discuss updates and gather feedback on the Joe Louis Greenway Partnership.
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