CARMEN’S QUARTERLY • WINTER 2022
Securing Our New Contract Last December, our new contract, which was overwhelmingly ratified by the membership on December 12, had been officially approved by the MBTA Board of Directors, marking an end to months of tough negotiations. This contract is a big win for our union after a challenging year. As essential frontline workers, we faced undue pressure and risk throughout the pandemic. We showed up to work in the worst of the surge, without basic safety-net protection, including lack of proper PPE. In recognition of these efforts, we've secured $2,000 pandemic pay* for the hard-working members who showed up to work each day at the height of the pandemic.
We've also secured the following key provisions for all of our members: •
Two-year wage increase of 5.1% for all employees
•
$2,500 diversion payment*, to be paid out by
•
Two additional paid personal days per year, regardless
•
New incentive to convert more part-time workers to
March 2022
of employee service or sick leave usage
full-time staff, alleviating ongoing schedule issues and
expanding our family-sustaining wages and benefits
•
Hiring bonuses paid out to both operators and the new employee(s)
We're also proud to formally recognize Juneteenth as a guaranteed paid holiday, replacing Bunker Hill Day. The new contract went into effect retroactively from July 1,
2021, and extends to June 30, 2023. We want to thank all of
you in the membership for helping us secure these victories.
Our strength through solidarity means we can bargain for the provisions we deserve.
*This payment does not count for pension purposes and is not subject to employee pension contributions.
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