New Orleans, LA — The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) announced today that it has finalized a new three-year labor agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1560, reinforcing a shared commitment to employees, riders, and the future of public transit in New Orleans. 

The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community. 

“This agreement reflects our values,” said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins. “By working collaboratively with our union partners, we are investing in our workforce, strengthening service delivery, and advancing our mission to provide safe, reliable, and a world-class rider experience for the people of New Orleans.”  

RTA Board Chairman Fred Neal Jr. emphasized the importance of the partnership in achieving long-term success. “This agreement highlights the trust and respect between labor and management,” said Neal. “It positions RTA to continue moving forward with stability, accountability, and a focus on service excellence.” 

Key highlights of the new agreement include: 

• A three-year contract term
• Competitive wages for employees
• A strong focus on labor-management collaboration
• Positive working relations between RTA and ATU
• A shared commitment to building a world-class transit system

“As ATU Local 1560 President, my top priority was reaching an agreement that supports our members who are on the front lines every day,” said Ronald Horn, ATU Local 1560 President, “This agreement is about the hard work and dedication of our workforce, provides competitive wages, and includes more union involvement than ever before in shaping our workplace. We look forward to continuing our partnership with RTA as we work together to strengthen service and better serve our riders and community.” 

“As Chair of the City’s Transportation Committee, I’m pleased to celebrate this achievement with our labor partners and the RTA, and I look forward to continued progress, said New Orleans City Councilmember Eugene Green, “As a city that stands firmly with organized labor, we know that when management and labor come together, the result benefits everyone. This agreement between ATU Local 1560 and the RTA marks a win for the workforce, for the agency, and for the residents who rely on transit every day. Transit is the connective tissue that supports our economy, our culture, and our neighborhoods, and I’m proud to see collaboration that strengthens the system that keeps this city moving.” 

The finalized agreement underscores RTA’s ongoing efforts to improve employee morale, operational efficiency, and rider experience while strengthening partnerships that support the agency’s long-term vision. 

For more information, visit RTA Board of Commissioners Meeting 1.27.26.

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The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority is a sub-division of the State of Louisiana which is operated by an independent Board of Commissioners that serves Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard Parishes. The agency operates car and passenger ferries, fixed-route buses, Paratransit, and streetcar services. For updates, service alerts, and agency news, follow the RTA on social media: @neworleansrta on Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook, and New Orleans Regional Transit Authority on LinkedIn.