Posts by Local589 Admin
Letter to the Editor: Pension fund is not the way to fix the T
Boston Globe | July 10, 2017 The Boston Carmen’s Union has proved that we want to be a part of the solution at the MBTA. As the drivers, operators, and repairers of the buses, trolleys, and tracks, we know firsthand that the system needs significant investments. But you can’t fix the MBTA by cutting employees…
Read MoreMBTA Must Fix Service, Not Play Games with Workers’ Social Security
Yesterday, Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford responded to a Boston Globe story that reports the Baker Administration wants to manipulate Social Security retirement benefits for MBTA employees: “Rather than focusing on improving service, the Baker administration treats T riders and employees as second class citizens. Manipulating Social Security retirement benefits for MBTA workers who have…
Read MoreMBTA wants to take an ax to retirement benefits
Boston Globe | By Adam Vaccaro | June 26, 2017 Future MBTA retirees would receive reduced pension payments and would have to work longer to earn the maximum benefit under a proposal to be unveiled at the transit authority’s board meeting Monday. James O’Brien, president of the Boston Carmen’s Union, Local 589, which negotiates the pension…
Read MorePension Fund Update
Dear Brothers and Sisters, On Wednesday, June 14, Tom Roth, president of the Labor Bureau Inc., and our chief negotiator for 42 years provided a presentation to members of the Legislature at the State House about the real status of the MBTA Pension Fund; disproving recent information released by the MBTA about the status of…
Read MoreMedia Release: Boston Carmen’s Union Presents on Status of the MBTA Retirement Fund
BOSTON, MA (June 14, 2017) – The Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 on Wednesday provided a presentation on the status of the MBTA Retirement Fund (MBTARF) to members of the Legislature, refuting recent information released by the MBTA about the status of the fund. MBTA management has sought to present the fund as “in crisis,”…
Read MoreTestimony from today’s (5/22) MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board
This afternoon, Boston Carmen’s Union President Jimmy O’Brien testified before the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board about the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Retirement Fund (MBTARF). FMCB Testimony – MBTARF Jimmy O’Brien, Boston Carmen’s Union May 22, 2017 While the members of this board know that I am a board member of the MBTA Retirement…
Read MoreStatement from Boston Carmen’s Union President, Jimmy O’Brien, in response to attack on MBTA Bus Driver
“Bus operators have the hardest jobs in the MBTA. Everyday operators are harassed. Assaults have become too common. Many no longer report all of the incidents because they have come to expect it as part of their job. This is unacceptable. The vast majority of operators are on old buses that lack sufficient safety barriers.…
Read MoreNew Uniform Vendor Fair
Bus and subway operators are invited to check out options for the new MBTA uniforms at the following locations and times: Cabot Garage May 31 – 8:30am – 4:00pm Reservior Carhouse June 1 – 8:30am – 4:00pm Orient Heights Carhouse June 2 – 8:30am – 4:00pm Charlestown Garage June 5 –…
Read MoreDon’t Miss Tomorrow’s Rally / Lobby Day At The State House!
Dear members, Join our union brothers and sisters of IAM, Local 264, for a rally / lobby day TOMORROW (5/17) @ 9:30 AM in front of the Massachusetts State House to stop privatization of MBTA bus maintenance machinists . It’s time to invest in a transit system that works for all us―by providing quality, reliable service for…
Read MoreMBTA Conductor’s Truly Touching Boston Marathon Tribute
MBTA Conductor’s Truly Touching Boston Marathon Tribute Kiss 108 FM | April 18, 2017 When Tim Murphy, and MBTA conductor who NORMALLY drives Mattapan trains but on Sunday was driving the green line, realized he was between Hynes and Copley at 2:49, he knew he had to say something. 4 years before, at that very…
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