"This agreement is good for our workers and good for transit riders. It provides fair wage increases over a 4-year contract term and avoids disruption in transit service," said Sean Cedenio, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 570. "The agreement also relieves covered employees of a portion of their health insurance cost burden."

   "Additionally, the Union and the Company worked together to implement enhanced safety standards and improvements to its attendance policy. I don't think our success in obtaining this contract would have been possible if the workers were not highly mobilized to get fair compensation for the services they provide. I want to thank the public for their very important role in our success. Their support was critical for us. At one point, a mass of supportive emails from concerned riders shut down the company's email system.

   "The ratification of the new contract concludes a long, protracted battle to get what these workers deserved. It will help our people plan for a better future for themselves and their families while they continue to provide safe and on-time service to the commuting public."