Boston Herald | Matt Stout | Tuesday, October 18, 2016

The MBTA is quietly paying nearly $1 million to a consultant to “assess the options” for outsourcing jobs and services throughout the cash-strapped transit agency, the Herald has learned — further fanning the flames in a public feud between Gov. Charlie Baker and unions intent on stopping privatization at the T.

The Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589, the T’s largest labor group, blasted the contract and what it called a lack of transparency around a proliferation of outside experts hired by the agency.

“Our members have seen consultants everywhere they look for months,” president James O’Brien said in a statement. “The fact is that instead of investing fare and tax revenue on buses, trains, trolleys and tracks, Shortsleeve and (Secretary Stephanie) Pollack are spending it on high-priced management consultants to help them outsource the T.”

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