A new five-year deal between Codiac Transpo employees and the City of Moncton is now in effect.

Council officially ratified the new collective agreement during Monday night’s regular meeting.

Workers represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union will get a 16.5 per cent pay increase over five years.

They will also receive four weeks of vacation beginning in their fifth year of service instead of their 10th.

A new provision for a mechanic apprenticeship program was added and both parties agreed to update the language in the agreement to be gender-neutral.

“Our members worked hard for this contract, and we believe it strikes the right balance between meeting their needs and maintaining the high standard of service that the residents of Moncton deserve,” Steve Trites, president/business agent for ATU Local 1290, said in a news release.

“We had a very collaborative round of negotiations, with both parties finding creative ways to address one another’s priorities,” Laura Armes, director of human resources for the city, added.

The new contract runs from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2029.

ATU represents 112 employees at Codiac Transpo including bus operators, mechanics and service personnel.