New Mexico Local 1687 sets new precedent with Red Apple Transit 

Farmington, NM — SMART-TD Local 1687, the bus Operators working for Red Apple Transit, have unanimously ratified a four-year agreement that delivers a significant wage increase, along with new quality of life precedents. 

The Secret to Employee Retention: Respect, Wages and Quality of Life 

“Red Apple came to us frustrated with retention issues and their inability to attract quality operators. We told them point-blank: the quickest way to solve that problem is to raise wages. This agreement shows they heard us loud and clear.” Local Chairperson Steve Economos explained. 

• When compounded over the four years of the agreement, Local 1687’s members will receive a total wage increase of 22.13%. 

• Paid Holidays Doubled: From five to ten paid holidays per year. 

• Bereavement Policy Modernized: Members can use bereavement leave non-consecutively, allowing time for both immediate needs and future services. 

• Paid Sick Leave Expanded: Sick time has been increased from 40 hours to 64 hours annually, adding three additional paid sick days per year. 

• PTO Protection During Weather Delays: Previously, Local 1687 members were forced to use PTO when weather delays affected service. That unfair practice ends with this agreement. 

Transit Union Creates New Bereavement Leave Precedent 

The flexible bereavement leave policy is a powerful new precedent for SMART-TD locals across the country. What started as a Local 1687 priority could be used to negotiate a nationwide standard. Additionally, small injustices like being forced to use their PTO for weather delays don’t make headlines, but they have a real impact on morale. “These are the kinds of things a union is here to fight for,” he said. “We don’t let those things slide.” 

The Tentative Agreement (TA) was negotiated by Brother Economos with support from SMART-TD Vice President James Sandoval and General Committee Chairperson Justin Schrock. 

“I want to thank our incredible membership for standing together on this. The company didn’t want to lose our members, and that made it so we were able to get our wage increase and much more.” Brother Economos went on to say. “I also want to thank Vice President James Sandoval and General Committee Chairperson Justin Schrock for their work and creativity throughout the process.” 

General Committee Chairperson Justin Schrock praised Economos’s leadership during negotiations. “Brother Economos knew exactly what his members wanted, and he carried that with him through every step of this process. He never wavered. I also want to thank Bus Vice President James Sandoval. I had never negotiated alongside James before, but his creativity, knowledge, and determination to win for our members left a strong impression. It was an honor to work with him.” 

Schrock had one final message for the members of Local 1687: “Your hard work is seen, and this agreement proves that Red Apple recognizes the high level of talent and professionalism our members bring to the job every day. They’ve shown they’re willing to pay to retain it, and that’s because of you.”