PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Release Date:
Kathleen McNeil For immediate release
(661) 401-1729
kmcneil@getbus.org
GET Workers Reach Agreement Ending Labor Negotiations
Bakersfield, CA (Monday, April 8, 2024) – Golden Empire Transit District (GET) has reached an agreement with its collective bargaining unit Teamsters Local #517. GET has been in negotiations for the last few months finishing with a vote on March 5, 2024. The Union negotiates the collective bargaining agreement on behalf of the employees to determine their terms of employment, including pay, benefits, hours, leave, and health and safety policies.
GET was notified on March 5, 2024 that the proposed agreement was accepted by the Union employees adopting the contract and avoiding further negotiations. GET’s board of directors held a special meeting on March 18, 2024 at which they ratified the agreement. This collective bargaining agreement expires March 31, 2029.
“I am happy that we’ve reached an agreement that has been well received by the members of Teamsters Local #517,” stated Michael Tree, CEO Golden Empire Transit. “I look forward to working with all District employees to provide the very best service to our community, keeping Bakersfield a great place to live work and play.”
Golden Empire Transit District (GET) Formed in July 1973, GET’s mission is to make life better by connecting people to places one ride at a time. It is the primary public transportation provider for the Bakersfield Urbanized Area. GET is the largest public transit system within a 110-mile radius. The District’s legal boundary includes Bakersfield city limits as well as adjacent unincorporated areas. GET has a fleet of 81-compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET services 16 routes, which operate 7-days a week and transport more than 3.5 million passengers each year on its fixed route buses. In addition, GET operates 21-compressed natural gas On-Demand micro and paratransit buses and nine Hydrogen Full Cell buses. To learn more, visit getbus.org.
