First-Ever Bike Share Contract Wins Hefty Raises, Staffing Levels, Paid Paternity and More

JULY 9 -- TWU Local 100's organizing drive, which led to union representation for some 200 Citibike workers in New York City, has resulted in a ground-breaking contract, the first for the burgeoning bike share industry in America. Local 100 President John Samuelsen, in an 11 AM press conference at the Union Hall in downtown Brooklyn, spelled out key details of the agreements which was finalized last night after a long bargaining session with representatives of New York Bike Share - Motivate, also known as Citibike.

The five-year contract gives full-time employees of Bike Share in New York ten percent raises and then periodic raises through the life of the agreement -- amounting to 20% raises for the workers. It creates a Worker's Council which will meet regularly with Motivate management, keeps staffing levels constant, and provides a phenomenal benefit to workers who become parents of eight weeks paid leave. It allows workers to pick assignments by seniority, a key ingredient in quality of life at the workplace. The contract also allows for a grievance procedure to contest unfair discipline. It includes eight paid holidays, annual vacation benefits, paid medical and night differential pay.

Bike Share Dispatcher Dolly Winter, who was a member of the negotiating committee, called it "a success story for everyone." President Samuelsen, in his remarks, noted the good working relationship the union has with management, and said that he hoped the agreement would form the template for similar agreements to be negotiated with other Bike Shares which the Union represents, including those in Boston, Chicago, and Washington, DC. He said that he hoped the combination of a motivated workforce and good management would propel the bike share model forward nationally.