Big Bus NY Workers Ratify Contract

DECEMBER 19—MTA Bus/School Bus/Private Lines Vice President Danny D’Amato announced that members at Big Bus Tours New York, the number one ranked "hop on hop off" tour bus company by Trip Advisor, have voted to ratify a new contract.

"I’m proud to announce that Big Bus NYC members have overwhelmingly ratified a new contract running through May 18, 2030," D'Amato said. "This agreement delivers meaningful gains in pay, benefits, safety, and working conditions—and it reflects the strength and unity of this membership...This contract proves what strong representation and an engaged membership can achieve," he said.

Here are the details:

Pay and Benefits

• Over 20% compounded wage increases over the life of the contract

• Top rate reaches $40.28 per hour Bonuses and First-Time Benefits

• $500 total ratification bonus

• First-ever $700 annual longevity bonus for members with seven or more years of service

• First-ever $100 annual uniform allowance

• First-ever new joint labor-management safety committee Benefits and Time Off

• 5% employer 401(k) match

• PTO accrues from date of hire (up to 25 days per year) + 3 additional PTO Days for members with 15 Years of service.

• New paid holiday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Expanded bereavement leave to 4 days pay, and a first-ever pet bereavement day.

Workweek and Guarantees

• 38-hour weekly guarantee for full-time operators, Up from 36

• Time-and-a-half for all charter work

• Overnight charters include a 12-hour guarantee, hotel accommodations, and $100 per night per diem

• New seniority-based charter list

D'Amato thanked Private Ops Division Chairman Tom Monaco, Section Chair/Division Vice Chair Mark Williams, and Division Vice Chair Mike Nunez for their leadership throughout negotiations. The VP also recognized Executive Senior Director of Organizing Frank McCann and Lead Organizer Karla Kozak, saying the two had been "instrumental in supporting Big Bus members since day one, when they first organized this unit.

"Finally, thank you to President John V. Chiarello and the Local 100 Top 4 for providing the resources necessary to execute and deliver this agreement."