New Haven, Conn. – A tentative contract reached Tuesday between Teamsters Local 433 and private transit provider Transdev has kept about 70 shuttle drivers for Yale University and Southern Connecticut State University from walking off the job. The agreement, described by union officials as a recognition of the drivers’ essential role on campus, averts a strike that was set to begin Wednesday at 4 a.m. outside Transdev’s depot on Dixwell Avenue in Hamden.
Union and company cite cooperation
Teamsters Principal Officer Salvatore Abate said the deal reflects the unity of union members and the support of elected officials, community partners, and neighbors. “We’re grateful that a strike was averted and that solidarity got us here,” Abate wrote in an email to the New Haven Independent. He added that the union looks forward to finalizing the contract and returning focus to safely transporting students, faculty, and staff.
Transdev communications director Mischa Wanek‑Libman had earlier told the paper the company was committed to a “fair and sustainable agreement” and had asked for state‑facilitated mediation. While Transdev did not issue a comment after the tentative deal was announced, its earlier statements underscore a shared interest in avoiding service disruptions for riders.
Background of the dispute
The conflict began after the previous contract between Local 433 and Transdev expired on June 30, 2025. Since then, the parties have operated under an extension that preserves the old terms, allowing either side to end the arrangement with five days’ notice. In early August, the union announced its intention to end the extension and strike, alleging that Transdev “purposefully misled the union” by reversing its position after both sides neared an agreement in May.
Business Agent Tom Bayusik, quoted in the union’s initial strike announcement, said the company withdrew a fair‑wage proposal during Yale’s commencement period, accusing Transdev of “running out the clock” to avoid confrontation. He called the move a breach of good‑faith bargaining.
University response
SCSU Vice President for Finance and Administration Lillian Wanjagi reminded students that the university itself is not a party to the collective‑bargaining process. “The negotiation and settlement of the terms in question are solely between Transdev and the workers’ union,” she wrote in a Monday night email, assuring that classes and campus operations would continue as scheduled.
What the tentative deal means for students
With the strike called off, shuttle service to the ten SCSU stops and the Union Station hub will proceed without interruption. Students who rely on the shuttles for daily commutes can expect the same routes and schedules that have been in place throughout the academic year.
Both the union and Transdev have indicated that they will continue negotiations to reach a final, binding contract. The tentative agreement is a step toward stability for the transit workforce and the broader university communities that depend on reliable transportation.
Looking ahead
Local officials and community leaders have praised the outcome as a demonstration of collaborative problem‑solving. The resolution underscores the importance of public‑private partnerships in maintaining essential services for students and staff while respecting the rights of workers to fair representation.
As negotiations move forward, stakeholders will watch for a final agreement that addresses wages, benefits, and working conditions, ensuring that the drivers who keep Yale and SCSU campuses moving are treated with the respect and compensation they deserve.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
