Benjamin Lynn, Press and Communications Associate with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the 23-day strike by shuttle service drivers for Battles Transportation and RHG Group, significant wage disparities faced by the workforce and the hard-won gains secured in the new contract.
ATU Local 689 is comprised of more than 15,000 members and retirees performing various skilled transportation crafts for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), MetroAccess, Fairfax Connector, DASH, Loudoun County Transit, Arlington Transit, DC Circulator, and Streetcar, among others.
Lynn said the strike began after nearly eight months of stalled contract negotiations, with shuttle drivers—responsible for transporting veterans and federal employees— who were struggling as some of the lowest-paid transit workers in the region. Wages for these drivers ranged from $17 to $24 per hour, which was notably lower than those of their counterparts at other companies, who typically earn starting wages of around $24 or $25 per hour. Prolonged talks and the company’s reluctance to meet for substantial bargaining sessions led the workers to take decisive action, standing on the picket line during the bitter winter holiday period.
Throughout the strike, Lynn said the company did not employ extreme union-busting tactics, such as threatening firings or cutting healthcare benefits, and some services continued to operate during the work stoppage. Ultimately, the union pressure and clear demands from the workforce prompted both parties to return to the bargaining table. After 23 days, an agreement was reached, resulting in a three-year contract featuring 4 percent annual wage increases. While the new deal does not instantly close the wage gap, it represents a “huge step forward” and a foundation for future improvements, Lynn said.
Finally, Lynn explained that the conclusion of this strike is only the latest chapter for ATU Local 689. He emphasized the union’s ongoing strategy of incremental progress, advocating for better pay, benefits and working conditions—not only for shuttle drivers but across all properties served by the Local. With more contracts on the horizon and a continued fight for fair treatment, ATU Local 689 remains committed to raising industry standards and supporting the long-term well-being of its members, Lynn said.
For more from Lynn and ATU Local 689, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.
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