City Council ratifies new agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union

City Council today ratified a new 2-year collective agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local #987. This group of 50 City employees operate the Lethbridge Access-A-Ride (AAR) fleet. AAR Operators will see their wages reach parity with fixed-route Operators on December 31, 2026. Other ATU roles within AAR including booking agents and scheduling analysts, will also receive market rate adjustments to their positions. 

"I want to thank our dedicated AAR employees who support some of our most vulnerable residents,” says Mayor Blaine Hyggen. “I also want to thank our bargaining team for working so hard to reach a fair agreement that addressed the issues brought forward by both parties. These efforts ensure we can continue to provide this critical service to our community."

On October 19, ATU AAR members voted in favour of the new agreement which went forward to the newly elected City Council for ratification today. 

The wage increases in the new collective agreement are in line with other recent City union negotiations and comparable to similar unions in other municipalities. The increase breakdown includes:

• January 1, 2025 – Cost of Living increase 2.5% (all)
• January 1, 2026 – Cost of Living increase 2.75% (all
• January 1, 2025 – Parity Adjustment for Operators: $0.72
• January 1, 2025 – Market Rate Adjustment for Booking Agent & Scheduling Analyst: $0.63
•  January 1, 2025 – Market Rate Adjustment for Dispatcher: $0.69
•  July 1, 2026 – Parity Adjustment for Operators: $0.60
• December 31, 2026 – Parity Rate Adjustment for Operators: $0.61

The City of Lethbridge and ATU have been in active labour negotiations since March 14, 2025. The parties negotiated with a mediator on October 16-17, 2025 at which time a tentative agreement was reached. Since negotiations began, the teams have met 18 times. The past agreement between the two parties expired December 31, 2024.