Transit workers unionize in Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach
Thirty-two workers at Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit have unionized, and their collective bargaining unit hopes to soon begin negotiating their first contract.
The drivers, mechanics and other employees of the public transit service have elected to organize as part of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 714, according to a news release Tuesday.
“Drivers here are woefully underpaid and that was one of the main reasons for workers wanting to organize a union,” said driver Joe Gaudette in the release. “Now that we’re officially a union, we urge BSOOB Transit to work with us to reach a fair contract that appropriately compensates employees for the valuable service we provide to the community.”
Mike Frager, vice president of the local, added, “We’re very excited that BSOOB Transit workers voted overwhelmingly to go with ATU and we look forward to helping them get whatever they want to achieve in their first contract.”
Attempts to reach the transit system for comment were not immediately successful.
BSOOB Transit carried 360,000 passengers in 2019. The transit authority was established in 1978, and initially provided local trolley service. In 1998 it added express highway service between the region and Portland, and more recently has grown with the addition of new routes and the 2019 launch of the Saco Transit Center.
The unionizing comes after nurses at Maine Medical Center and staff of the Portland Museum of Art organized in April.
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