The Regional Transportation District presented transit workers today with a new three-year contract proposal described as “somewhat better” by a union spokesman.
The new proposal includes an offer by RTD to pay half of any health insurance premium increases over the contract period and a $250 “ratification” bonus for workers.
The executive board of the Amalgamated Transit Workers Local 1001 unanimously voted to recommend the new offer, but the final outcome will be determined by a worker vote set for Sunday
If workers reject the new offer, a strike will begin at 2 a.m. Monday, jeopardizing some RTD services.
“The last thing the workers want to do is strike, but RTD has put them in that corner,” said Dave Minshall, a union spokesman.
RTD spokesman Scott Reed said, in a statement, that management is confident that the union will ratify the deal and that the union’s leadership will be encouraging members to approve it.
But he said RTD is making preparations to maintain service, in the event of a strike.
Staff writer Kim McGuire can be reached at 303-820-1240 or at kmcguire@denverpost.com.
