The votes are in!

Local 100 members ratified a new labor agreement with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority by a very wide vote margin: 68.75% in favor of the deal, and 31.25% opposed, the independent American Arbitration Association reported today.

Solid raises, $4,000 in Essential Worker bonus payments, expanded maternity and paternity leave, along with other new benefits and gains, are on the way. Importantly, Local 100 defeated MTA demands – including the demand that you pay more for your healthcare. Your health contributions will not go up. They will remain the same through the length of the 3-year contract.

The AAA, which carried out the mailing and counting of ballots, reported the results Monday afternoon. There were 8,594 “Yes” votes and 3,906 “No” votes, according to AAA.

“I want to thank the members for their support throughout this process,” Local 100 President Richard Davis said. “The solidarity that you showed in the field helped us greatly at the negotiating table.”

Union leaders made an “unprecedented” effort to educate and inform members with about 150 shopgates, supplemented by a digital blitz of information via the union’s website and other social media outlets, along with the printed flyers and mailings, Davis said.

The contract now goes to the MTA board Wednesday, July 19, for final approval. Local 100 headquarters will be publicizing the implementation dates for the raises (nearly 10% over years), retro checks, and other items. The agreement states the workers will receive the first bonus payment of $3,000 within 60 days of ratification, which will be in mid-September.