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The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) recently reached a four-year agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, which represents 7,000 train and bus operators, mechanics and administrative workers.

Expiring at 2008’s end, the agreement calls for a 6 percent wage increase during the next two years and similar health benefits but higher premiums. The contract also includes new guidelines that limit job transfers within WMATA to help the authority “stabilize” its workforce and reduce training costs, according to a prepared statement.

A majority of the union’s members, which comprise 70 percent of WMATA’s workforce, approved the deal last month.