Posts by Local589 Admin
President O’Brien Testifies In Support of the Machinists Union, Local 264
Today, President James O’Brien testified in support of the Machinists Union, Local 264, at the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) meeting. Below is his testimony. Last year, it was our Union, our 4,100 members, fighting against privatization to save our jobs and do what we think is in the best interest of the MBTA―which…
Read MoreCheck out our new TV ad
Check out our new TV ad about our dedicated members working on the front lines and behind the scenes to help our riders get where they need to go each and every day.
Read MoreMBTA, Carmen’s Union back at loggerheads
Boston Globe | By Adam Vaccaro | July 15, 2017 So much for labor peace. Just seven months after the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and its largest union reached a new labor contract, the two sides are again at loggerheads. Tensions flared last week over terms of the new agreement, when the union blocked management’s…
Read MoreImportant Message about Payroll
All MBTA employees still on the old payroll system will receive their last check tomorrow (7/12/17). If you requested an advance, you will get a check next Friday (7/21/17). The first biweekly paycheck from the new system will be issued on 7/28/17. For your convenience, attached is the Commonwealth pay calendar. If you have any…
Read MoreLetter 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…
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