The BLET has reached a tentative contract with Keolis Commuter Services for locomotive engineers working at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in Boston. The tentative agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 194 members. Ballots were mailed last week.
The tentative five-year deal is retroactive to July 1, 2023. If ratified, it would provide general wage increases of 25.0% (5% for 2023; 5% for 2024; 5% in 2025; 5% in 2026; and 5% in 2027). The deal also includes an additional $2.00 per hour on top of the 5% GWI in 2027, totaling a compounded GWI of 31.87% through the term of the agreement.
Other proposed improvements would include:
- Addition of three paid sick days, annually.
- Improvement to the current Bereavement Leave language with the inclusion of additional family members.
- Lowering the current factor day requirement for annual vacation to 160 factor days, and allowing two weeks to be utilized in the single day format.
- Addition of holiday for Juneteenth.
- Affords Local Chairmen discovery for formal on-property investigations.
- New hires would still receive vacation time if they fail to hit required factor days within first two years of employment.
Ballots are due by Wednesday, January 29 at 3 p.m. ET. Members who are eligible and have not received a ratification packet by Thursday, January 16 should call the National Division at (216) 241-2630, ext. 222. When connected with the extension, please leave the following information:
- Your name, address and phone number;
- The division to which you belong;
- The railroad you work for;
- Your date of birth;
- The last four digits of your Social Security number; and
- Your email address.
Please note: All replacement ballots will be distributed by email. It’s important that any member who requires a replacement ballot include their email address in the voicemail; otherwise, they will not be able to participate in the ratification vote.
Members governed by this agreement belong to BLET Division 57 in Boston. The negotiating team consisted of Amtrak General Chairman, Pat Darcy; Vice General Chairman Gabriel Perez; Secretary-Treasurer Brad Cleary; National Vice President Jim Louis; Division 57 Local Chairman Gary Hobson; and Division 57 Special Representative Paul Chaput.
Keolis operates MBTA’s 14 commuter rail lines serving the Greater Boston region and Rhode Island. It is the nation’s fifth-busiest commuter rail system, serving nearly 90,000 passengers on weekdays.