BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority board of directors has approved a new four-year contract with International Association of Machinists Lodge 264, including an overall pay raise of approximately 18% over the life of the contract, as well as several provisions intended to improve worker retention.
The contract approved on Wednesday, Dec. 13, is retroactive to July 1 of this year and runs through June 30, 2027. To address current staffing shortages, it offers a bonus to retirement-eligible employees who remain at work for at least another year, and also includes a longevity compensation program that encourages members of the union to stay at the MBTA by offering enhanced compensation at 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service.
“This contract further accelerates our recruitment efforts, empowering us to attract new talent with competitive compensation and incentives,” MBTA CEO Phillip Eng said in a press release. “We thank the Machinists Union Lodge 264 for their collaboration and to all Authority workers for their unwavering dedication and service to the riding public.”
“This new contract agreement is an incredible step toward helping the MBTA in its efforts to improve the system by both strengthening efforts to hire more workers and supporting the current hardworking MBTA machinists and mechanics that help power the T,” said Lodge 264 member Mike Vartabedian, District 15 assistant directing business representative.
The Machinists Union represents close to 450 workers, about 6% of MBTA union employees. It had voted to ratify the agreement last month.
The bonus retention provision is smart. Allows MBTA to keep the system going toward full class 1 status. Then or maybe just “IF” it can then allow those who then want to retire to do so.