RFTA negotiations with drivers union stalled over pay, housing disputes

Negotiations between the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) and the Amalgamated Transit Union 1774 (ATU) have reported conflicting reports about how well negotiations are going. Critical issues such as drivers’ pay and housing affordability are at the center of the apparent impasse. The discussions, initiated in May, have so far failed to yield significant progress, frustrating union representatives.

Despite a previous 17% pay increase for full-time drivers in 2022 and 2023 under former CEO Dan Blankenship, these latest round of talks led by new CEO Kurt Ravenschlag — formerly the chair operating officer (COO) for RFTA and who has been involved in three prior ATU negotiations — and ATU President Ed Cortez has stalled, according to ATU. Cortez has voiced concerns over the high cost of living in the valley, particularly housing, which remains a significant issue for union members.

ATU has proposed that housing costs should not exceed 30% of drivers’ income and has suggested a housing stipend. He admitted these ambitious proposals were intended to spark substantive deliberations, but RFTA’s response has been dismissive, according to ATU. 

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“Negotiations have not been quite what I expected. We used to be able to get these things done pretty quickly in the past but we are dealing with new management,” said Cortez. “We gave (RFTA) our proposals and they came back with their proposals, rejecting all of ours.”

Ravenschlag, disputing these accounts, stated, “No proposals have been tentatively agreed to yet. Several of the union’s proposals were countered by RFTA, including their economic (wage) proposal.” He continued, “RFTA management is disappointed that the union decided to pause negotiations on May 30 as we had reserved the time and space to conduct this business through June 4.”

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Cortez highlighted the rejection of a progressive pay increase as particularly disappointing.

“RFTA was not very helpful, and we were so frustrated with their response that (ATU) decided to walk out of negotiations,” he said.

Ravenschlag, who previously served as a general manager of the Large Urban Transit System with the City of Fort Collins, explained, “When the ATU requested a two-week break from negotiations to attend the RFTA Board Summit on June 13, one of the agenda topics was housing benefit strategies recommended in RFTA’s Draft Housing Comprehensive Plan. The union members wanted to learn more about the potential housing benefits for the workforce. RFTA is looking forward to the three dates we have booked with the Union for the first week in July,”

This account contrasts with Cortez’ version, which stated there are no further negotiations planned in July.

“We walked out because they rejected everything. The economic package they countered was the same wage progression proposal that we currently have,” he reiterated. “This kind of seems like a wage freeze to me.”

ATU is standing firm on its proposals, and he emphasized their readiness to meet if RFTA is willing to discuss further. With the current contract set to expire on Dec. 31, he mentioned that while there is a “no strike” clause in place until then, all options are on the table once the contract lapses, though he hopes extreme measures can be avoided.

Ravenschlag noted that due to the schedules of all parties involved, the soonest they could reconvene is July 1 but said RFTA is looking forward to continuing negotiations.

According to prior reporting, high living costs and limited housing availability have historically contributed to driver shortages. Driver shortages were what led to route cuts during the winter of 2023.