Press Release

Transit Workers Union Announces Milwaukee Streetcar Labor Peace Agreement

The private agreement ensures that workers running the streetcar system will be able to join the transit union.

By Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998 - Dec 1st, 2017 11:02 am

Milwaukee Streetcar on Milwaukee St.

MILWAUKEE, WI – Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 998, the Milwaukee transit workers union, announced today a labor peace agreement for The Milwaukee Streetcar with Transdev, the company contracted to run the City’s new streetcar system.

The private agreement ensures that workers running the streetcar system will be able to join the transit union and negotiate a contract without threats, coercion, or intimidation while preventing adversarial labor relations between the union and the company from causing pickets, boycotts, or strikes that might negatively impact the system.

ATU Local 998 President James Macon said, “Whether on buses or streetcars, transit jobs should be good, union jobs.” He continued, “This agreement means that transit workers in Milwaukee can unite to protect and raise living standards.”

Macon noted that while final negotiations of an agreement took longer than expected, the parties never doubted the outcome. “Transdev and our union negotiated an agreement looking out for the best interests of transit riders, transit workers, and city residents because the company, the union, and the City all want the streetcar to work for Milwaukee.”

Milwaukee Common Council member and chair of the City’s Public Works Committee Bob Bauman congratulated the union and the company. “Labor peace on the streetcar means good, union jobs for transit workers, and for riders means a reliable system run by a quality workforce.” He added, “This agreement demonstrates how employers and labor can and should collaborate for the public interest and the common good.”

The Alliance for Good Jobs, the organization responsible for the landmark community benefits agreement for the new Bucks arena and surrounding development zone, assisted ATU Local 998 in securing the labor peace agreement. Alliance for Good Jobs President Peter Rickman said, “We can transform Milwaukee through a new community standard for living wages, worker’s rights, and innovative workforce development in service sector employment. This agreement provides another example of how we can make labor markets work for workers and employers both, to strengthen the economy and raise living standards”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

More about the Milwaukee Streetcar

For more project details, including the project timeline, financing, route and possible extensions, see our extensive past coverage.

Alderman, State Allies Seek Federal Help to Kill the Streetcar - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 28th, 2025
Streetcar Service Suspended Following Truck Crash - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 21st, 2025
One Alderman’s Quest To Defund The Streetcar - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 18th, 2025
Another Streetcar Collision - Jeramey Jannene - Jun 27th, 2025
Streetcar Hit By Apparent Red Light Runner - Jeramey Jannene - Jun 16th, 2025
Streetcar Will Run On Consolidated Route During Summerfest - Jeramey Jannene - Jun 11th, 2025
City Hall: Milwaukee Must Replace Failing Streetcar Switches - Jeramey Jannene - Feb 24th, 2025
Streetcar Confronts Limited Funding, Operations Challenges - Evan Casey - Jan 22nd, 2025
Council Kills Streetcar’s ‘Festivals Line’ - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 31st, 2024
Streetcar Will Use Festivals-Oriented Route Through Summer - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 9th, 2024

Read more about Milwaukee Streetcar here

Mentioned in This Press Release

People: James Macon, Peter Rickman, Robert Bauman

Government: Milwaukee Common Council

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Transit Workers Union Announces Milwaukee Streetcar Labor Peace Agreement

Dec 1st, 2017 by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998

The private agreement ensures that workers running the streetcar system will be able to join the transit union.

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