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.

Council Kills Streetcar’s ‘Festivals Line’ - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 31st, 2024
Streetcar Will Use Festivals-Oriented Route Through Summer - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 9th, 2024
The Hop’s Lines Will Merge For Easier Summerfest Service - Jeramey Jannene - May 30th, 2024
Streetcar Begins Daily Service To The Couture, BRT Will Soon Follow - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 11th, 2024
Milwaukee’s Three Streetcar Extensions Need Mayoral Direction - Jeramey Jannene - Nov 8th, 2023
Transportation: Streetcar Extension Opens Sunday - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 28th, 2023
Ride Along On Streetcar Extension Before It Opens - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 11th, 2023
Lakefront Streetcar Extension Opens October 29 - Jeramey Jannene - Aug 22nd, 2023
Streetcar Ridership Has Climbed For 27 Straight Months Year-Over-Year - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 28th, 2023
Transportation: Harley-Davidson Is New Streetcar Sponsor - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 7th, 2023

Read more about Milwaukee Streetcar here

Mentioned in This Press Release

People: James Macon, Peter Rickman, Robert Bauman

Government: Milwaukee Common Council

Recent Press Releases by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998

ATU Local 998 Challenges MCTS 2020 ‘Budget Hole’ Projection

Aug 29th, 2019 by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998

Preliminary investigation points to millions of over projected MCTS operating expenses since 2015

Way To Go, County Board!

Jul 11th, 2019 by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998

For too long, workers and community members have been shut out of the MCTS leadership.

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.

You must be an Urban Milwaukee member to leave a comment. Membership, which includes a host of perks, including an ad-free website, tickets to marquee events like Summerfest, the Wisconsin State Fair and the Florentine Opera, a better photo browser and access to members-only, behind-the-scenes tours, starts at $9/month. Learn more.

Join now and cancel anytime.

If you are an existing member, sign-in to leave a comment.

Have questions? Need to report an error? Contact Us