Two Bargaining Units Ratify Quality Contracts

Two Columbus-based bargaining units ratified their contracts last week. Transport Workers (TWU) Local 280 ratified an agreement with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) and the Columbus Museum of Art (CMA) ratified their first contract with AFSCME Council 8.

The COTA Board of Trustees unanimously approved a three-year labor contract, which covers operators and maintenance employees of Local 208, with a 16% wage increase over the lifetime of the contract, enhanced insurance benefits and improved work-life balance.

"TWU members are the frontline workers of public transit in Central Ohio. This contract recognizes their service to area residents, workers and businesses and positions COTA to meet the needs of our growing economy and population now and in the future,” said Jarvis Williams, TWU Local 208 President, in a statement.

The multiyear contract addresses many of the concerns employees raised when they first began organizing at the museum. The newly ratified contract will include across the board wage increases and enhanced benefits. The contract also includes improved job security policies, and the opportunity to address the working conditions that Columbus Museum of Art employees face.  

“We formed our union because we knew the only chance we had to meaningfully address many of the concerns we faced as individual employees could only be addressed together as a union. This organizing campaign and ratified contract has solidified my commitment to working in the arts while creating a sustainable and equitable workplace.” Blake Thompson, CMA Employee, CMAWU Union President 

Read more about the TWU Local 208 contract here, and the CMA contract here