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After a more than month-long strike, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) has reached a tentative contract agreement with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA MTA). ATU represents 2,000 LA MTA mechanics and bus operators.

On Nov. 19, ATU members plan to vote on the contract. The contract does not include an agreement on funding the union’s health care trust fund, which will be negotiated separately during a 90-day non-binding mediation/arbitration.

The union administers its own health care trust fund, to which LA MTA currently contributes $1.4 million monthly. Still, the trust fund is on the verge of insolvency and the authority has offered to contribute an additional $4.7 million if LA MTA officials can jointly manage the fund, says LA MTA spokesperson Ed Scannell.

In the meantime, the authority will resume limited rail and bus service as mechanics and operators return to work. All rides will be free through Nov. 22, and October and November transit passes will be honored through December.

— Angela Claypool