Archive for April 2015
T report misses mark on absenteeism numbers
Commonwealth Magazine | By Steve Koczela | April 30, 2015 ONE OF THE MOST ALARMING figures to come out of Gov. Charlie Baker’s MBTA panel report earlier this month was 57. That’s the average number of working days that T employees miss each year, according to the panel’s analysis. The analysis also found that the absence rate across all…
Read MoreListen to our new radio ad!
Click here to listen to our new radio ad. As the ad says, the 6,000 members of the Boston Carmen’s Union are committed to turning the oldest public transportation system in the nation into the best transportation system in the nation. Simply put, we are here to help and we want to help!
Read MoreUPDATED: Thank you for attending Monday’s hearing!
Thank you to the hundreds of union members that attended Monday’s hearing. Your presence was felt and voices were heard. As you know, our amendment to protect union jobs and keep the T public gained the support of 60 members―representing over 1/3 of the House. However, the House chose to vote on a consolidated amendment…
Read MoreLawmakers Push MBTA Task Force For Specifics On Report
State House News Service | April 27, 2015 Gov. Charlie Baker’s MBTA task force didn’t have time to “drill down” into the authority’s relationship with its new commuter rail system operator but did learn that the T and Keolis do not have a strong relationship, according to one task force member. At a Transportation Committee…
Read MoreState House Rally to Keep the T Public!
Join Local 589’s executive board, members, and retirees for a rally this Monday (4/27) at 9:00 AM on the front steps of the Massachusetts State House to keep the T public and to make our voices heard. A transportation hearing regarding the MBTA’s special panel report is scheduled for 10:00 AM on the same day. Although…
Read MoreBoston Carmen’s Union Statement on Governor’s MBTA Bill
Below is a statement from the Executive Board of the Boston Carmen’s Union regarding the Governor’s MBTA bill. “The Governor’s Special Panel on the MBTA highlighted deep and pervasive management problems at the MBTA. While we agree with many of the recommendations of their report, eliminating the Pacheco Law will only make a bad situation…
Read MorePanel’s Proposed MBTA Reforms
Dear brothers and sisters, Thank you to the over 600 members that attended yesterday’s monthly union meetings to discuss the proposed reforms to the MBTA, including the elimination of the Taxpayer Protection Act (“Pacheco Law”). At the union meetings were Local 589’s media consultant, Steve Crawford, and lobbyist, Mike Morris. Steve gave an update on actions…
Read MoreHouse Moves To Eliminate Taxpayer Protection Act (“Pacheco Law”)
Brothers and sisters: Yesterday was a terrible day for the public and for the members of Local 589. The Massachusetts House of Representatives released their draft budget, and it includes recommendations that eliminate the protections afforded by the Taxpayer Protection Act (“Pacheco Law”), jeopardizing not only your jobs but also the public interest. We are…
Read MoreSenate leaders skeptical of plan to allow more MBTA privatization
Boston Globe | By David Scharfenberg | April 16, 2015 Senate leaders are skeptical of a House plan that would open the door to more privatization of services at the beleaguered MBTA. The House has called for a suspension of the so-called Pacheco law, which creates obstacles to outsourcing, for five years for the T.…
Read MoreBaker’s MBTA task force could face pointed questioning on findings
State House News Service | By Matt Murphy | 04/15/2015 BOSTON — Members of Gov. Charlie Baker’s task force on the MBTA could face pointed questioning in two weeks when they testify before a legislative panel, as some senators raised concerns Tuesday over the underpinnings of their recent findings. Since the task force last week…
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