MBTA commuter rail workers, union reps rally for new contract

BOSTON ― Workers on the commuter rail service linking Boston to other communities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island rallied Wednesday to draw attention to their efforts to secure a new contract from the company that manages the service.

State and local politicians, workers and their union representatives gathered at South Station Wednesday morning to demand Keolis Commuter Services, the company that manages the commuter rail, bargain in good faith for a new contract.

Demands include wage increases, lower costs for health care and health insurance, and the ability to take sick time and take days off.

“We run the fifth-largest commuter rail in the country and our wages are ranked 10th compared to other rail services,” said Jeffrey Sweeney, chairman of Local 201. A Walpole resident, he works on the Worcester line. “We make 13% less than the Amtrak workers we work with. We want sick days bargained into the contract. We’re fighting for a fair contract, fair wages and sick time."

AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch said it's the union workers who run the commuter rail that “makes Massachusetts run,” with apologies to Dunkin'.

Keolis is a France-based company hired by the state in 2014 to manage the commuter rail division of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The state extended its contract with the company in May through 2027.

The commuter rail system connects communities in Eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island and downtown Boston with 137 stops throughout the region, according to the T. The service area includes 12 routes that run seven days a week, plus service from Boston to Gillette Stadium and Providence for special events.

Lynch said more than a dozen unions serve the railroad employees and they have been functioning without contracts for the last two years. “The time for action is now,” Lynch said.

A Keolis spokesperson said commuter rail union employee contracts do not expire, though they can be adjusted at certain points.

Keolis said the more than 14 unions representing 2,500 workers are at different stages of negotiations. One union has reached an agreement with Keolis, while nine unions have formed a coalition and two others have moved into mediation, Keolis said.

"We are currently negotiating in good faith with each collective bargaining unit to amend their existing agreements. Our goal is to reach fair agreements with all unions while being mindful of our role as financial stewards of the commuter rail on behalf of the MBTA and the commonwealth," said a Keolis spokesperson, who pointed out Keolis reached an agreement with Transport Workers Union of America earlier this year, which included a 23% wage increase over five years and paid sick leave.

"KCS is in the advanced stages of negotiations with at least nine other unions," the spokesperson said. "We continue to make positive progress and we're confident we will reach agreements with each collective bargaining unit."

Elected officials rally alongside workers

Federal and state officials lined up with the rail workers included U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, and Democratic Reps. Ayanna Pressley, Stephen Lynch and Seth Moulton, along with local legislators representing areas serviced by the commuter rail.

Lynch said the $1.2 trillion bipartisan federal infrastructure bill was not just to rebuild roads and bridges. He said the $102 billion earmarked for railroads includes pay and benefits for railroad workers. Massachusetts, he added, stands to receive $3 billion from that package.

Moulton started his remarks by describing his commute from Salem that morning; it took almost two hours.

“I should be able to get on a train in Salem and get to Boston in 25 minutes,” Moulton said, promising that the future for the state includes a public transportation system that can deliver passengers to their destinations faster than driving a car. He painted a picture of a society where residents can take a train to any part of the state on a system that was faster than driving.

“We want investment not just in charging stations but investment in those who run Charger locomotives,” Moulton said, making a reference to a specific train engine.

“Without the hard work, dedication and skill of the transportation workers, the community would suffer from gridlock,” said Michael Vartabedian, of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 15.

Boston and the surrounding communities rely on the commuter rail service, said Josh Hartford, special assistant to the president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, rail division. He urged workers to stand firm on their demands. “We will not be ignored; Keolis must do the right thing.”

With reports from State House News Service.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: MBTA commuter rail workers, union reps rally for new contract