Huge Gains at Big Bus San Francisco

Sharing in the victory: (l-r) Shop Steward Raphael Brock, Natividad Medina, and Patrick Davidson
Sharing in the victory: (l-r) Shop Steward Raphael Brock, Natividad Medina, and Patrick Davidson

NOVEMBER 17—Workers at Big Bus San Francisco, the Local 100 drivers who bring tourists to Haight Ashbury, Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge, have a new five-year contract that significantly boosts their wages and benefits.

In congratulating the negotiating team, Private Bus Lines Vice President Danny D’Amato said:

"Your union fought hard, and the gains in this Memorandum of Agreement are HUGE and I’m proud to have been able to achieve this with the help of my team, which includes San Fran Chair Raphael Brock, Lead Organizer Karla Kozak, Executive Director of Organizing Frank McCann, Senior Director of Legal Department Deirdre Feerick and most importantly our president John Chiarello for his leadership and for always giving us the necessary resources needed to execute these fair contracts that represent the dignity and respect our members deserve.”

The new agreement boosts pay at every step, lowers the number of part-timers to one-fifth of the workforce, ups the number of paid holidays to nine, and increases the amount of time workers can take for bereavement and family emergencies. Also included is one pet bereavement day.

Longevity pay also gets a boost, with a new $1,300 payout after 13 years of service and increases for all tiers. The employer will also pick up the full cost for the mandated DOT medical exam and renewal. There is a ratification bonus of $250 for members with less than five years on the job; for those over five years the bonus is $500.

Here are the complete details:

MASSIVE WAGE INCREASES

✔ New hires start at a significantly higher rate

✔ Mid-tier employees secured major wage boosts

✔ Senior drivers achieved one of the highest top rates in the industry

✔ 5–7 year employees receive an immediate, double-digit wage boost


STRONGER GUARANTEES

 ✔ Weekly minimum guarantee for drivers increased to 38 hours

✔ Tour guides guaranteed 32 hours

✔ Full-time ratio raised to 80% — more stable jobs for our members


BONUSES & ALLOWANCES

 ✔ Uniform allowance raised to $200/year

✔ Longevity bonuses increased across all tiers

✔ New $1,300 Longevity Bonus tier for 13 years of service

✔ $250 ratification bonus (+ $250 more for those with 5+ years on the job)


NEW CHARTER GRATS

 ✔ $20/hour gratuity on daily charters (paid through payroll)

✔ Overnight charters fully paid + all expenses covered


NO MORE OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES

✔ Employer now pays 100% of DOT medical exam & renewal


TIME OFF & BENEFITS UPGRADES

✔ PTO accrual improved at 15 years

✔ Drivers can go up to 40 hours negative for emergencies

✔ Memorial Day added — now 9 paid holidays

✔ Bereavement pay increased from 3 → 4 days, plus a pet bereavement day


UNION POWER MAKES THIS POSSIBLE

“These gains happened because members stood strong together,” D’Amato added. “When we fight, we win.”