Transdev provides transportation services for the Visalia Transit System and SEKI Bus Operations in Sequoia National Park. Photo contributed.

Transit workers in Visalia ratified a new contract, ending their weeks long strike.

According to a press release, workers for France based transit company Transdev, represented by Teamsters Local 517 voted to ratify a new contact, securing additional sick days, time off and back pay after six weeks on strike.

Transdev workers provide transportation services for Visalia Transit Systems and SEKI Bus Operations in Sequoia National Park.

The new one-year agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2023 and along with the back pay, improved wages, five sick days, workers also get Easter as a holiday, formal time off request procedures, and zeroed out attendance points.

Prior to the new contract, Transdev workers had three sick days and no formal time off to attend important life and family events such as weddings, funerals and graduations.

Teamsters local 517 Secretary-Treasurer Greg Landers said the solidarity of the workers over the last six weeks is what got them a fair agreement.

“The transportation services that these workers provide are essential to keeping the City of Visalia and Sequoia National Park moving efficiently. We are thrilled that they now have a strong contract to show for it.”

Workers went on strike on July 7, demanding a “living wage and fair contract” according to a press release from that month.

This was the third strike in the state against Transdev in the past few months, said Matt Taibi, director of the Teamsters Passenger Transportation Division, and hopefully the last.

“It is despicable that Transdev continues to hold workers and their families hostage instead of offering them what they deserve. We are grateful to our members for showing Transdev that Teamsters never back down from a fight.”