OCTA Bus Driver Contract Approved, 3 Year Labor Agreement Achieved

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Orange County Transportation Authority board members Monday approved a new three-year labor agreement with the union representing the agency's bus drivers.

The agreement comes on the heels of labor strife in 2022 when the bus drivers hit the picket lines in a strike that threatened to cripple bus service in the area.

This agreement with Teamster Local 952 will increase wages for the union's drivers 14% over the next three years, officials said.

"We appreciate the teamsters efforts to negotiate in good faith and reach a fair and competitive deal for our valued employees," OCTA Chair Tam Nguyen said. "Our coach operators perform a vital service and are often the face of OCTA, the people who tens of thousands of bus passengers rely on for the highest level of safe and reliable service."

The agency has about 600 bus drivers with another 330 contracted.

The new contract also allows drivers to get to the top rate of income after four years instead of the previous five-year rate. They'll get more money for uniforms, higher wages as they train, and bonuses for working holidays such as Mother's Day.

OCTA officials and the union will continue discussing ways to improve safety for the drivers.