News
SARTA Board of Trustees approves new three-year labor agreeMENT with afscme local 1880, Pact creates a path to fiscal stability for transit authority
January 15, 2025
Canton, Ohio – During a special meeting held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the Board of Trustees of the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) voted unanimously to approve a new three-year labor agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 1880, the union that represents the transit system’s drivers, mechanics, and other organized employees. An overwhelming majority of Local 1880’s members ratified the pact on January 9.
According to SARTA CEO Kirt Conrad, the contract calls for pay freeze with a wage reopener to be negotiated later this year, maintains the members’ existing health and welfare benefits, and provides a one-time $750 signing bonus. The previous agreement expired on December 31, 2024.
“I want to thank the members and the leadership of Local 1880 for engaging in good-faith negotiations that produced a mutually beneficial, equitable agreement,” Mr. Conrad said. “Obviously, the fiscal challenges we now face created a unique environment for the talks. Fortunately, everyone at the table understood the stakes involved and the need to craft a contract that created a path to financial stability. I’m confident we’ve accomplished that goal.”
“Approval of the contract sets the stage for us to continue to work together with our employees and the union to strengthen our financial position,” Mr. Conrad continued. “The union leadership and our employees understand that the actions we’ve taken to date, while difficult, were absolutely necessary and will ensure that SARTA can continue to deliver the transit service the residents of Stark County need and deserve. Their continued cooperation is critical to our future and our success.”