The contract, approved Wednesday, was scheduled for UTA board of trustees ratification next week. It replaces a contract that expires Dec. 10.

Local 382 represents UTA bus drivers, TRAX operators and the agency's maintenance force. About 1,200 of UTA's 1,700 employees are union members.

Union leadership and UTA management started negotiations early because contract details needed to be in place for operation and maintenance of the 44-mile, $580 million commuter rail system, called FrontRunner, scheduled to begin operations by mid-2008 between Ogden and Salt Lake City.

Negotiations centered on wages, benefits, working conditions and advancement opportunities, said Local 382 President Bob Baty.

Contract provisions include a 10 percent raise - $1.77 per hour - for bus and TRAX operators over the three-year contract period. The contract ensures better work schedule advance notice for new hires; training for mechanics who work on UTA's vehicles; increased UTA contributions to health insurance; and keeping operations and maintenance in-house for the commuter rail system scheduled to start running in two years.

- Patty Henetz