Keolis reaches contract agreements with 14 unions prior to taking operational control of MBTA commuter service

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

Keolis Commuter Services (KCS) has reached agreement with all 14 of the labor unions representing its employees for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail service, which Keolis begins operating on July 1.

 

KCS says the agreements negotiated between itself and the unions, representing about 1,800 employees, mark another important milestone in the upcoming transition to Keolis for the operation and maintenance of the MBTA commuter rail system.

The unions include: The Maintenance of Equipment Division and Maintenance of Way Division of The American Railway and Airway Supervisor’s Association; The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes; The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen; The International Association of Machinists; The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers; The National Conference of Firemen and Oilers; The Joint Council of Carmen & Coach Cleaners; The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers – Mechanical Dept.; The Transportation Communications International Union; The American Train Dispatchers Association; The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; UTU – SMART – Transportation Division and The Sheet Metal Air and Rail Transportation Workers.

“These agreements symbolize the value we place on a smooth and seamless commuter rail transition for our customers. Key to a successful transition are the skills and talents of the men and women who operate and maintain our commuter rail service and I commend both Keolis and the unions for working so cooperatively to ensure the contracts are in place in a timely fashion,” MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott said.

“Negotiating such a large number of agreements is obviously not a simple task,” said KCS Deputy General Manager Gerald Francis. “So we very much appreciate the professional and cooperative manner in which all participants approached these negotiations. We look forward to a strong and positive relationship with the organizations representing our unionized workers going forward.”

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