The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced that its Board of Directors approved a new four-year contract between the MBTA and the Machinists Union Lodge 264.

The Machinists Union Lodge 264 aims to improve retention and support MBTA machinists through expanded benefits and increased wages. 

The contract is part of increased efforts by the Healey-Driscoll Administration to ensure the authority retains experienced and trained staff with the goal of shoring up MBTA workforce numbers.

“A new four-year contract with our valued members of Lodge 264 will help give the MBTA stability with its operations,” said Transportation Secretary/CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “I’d like to thank the membership for supporting this agreement and for their dedication in helping us to run safe and reliable service.”

MBTA, Machinists Union Lodge 264 Contract Details

The four-year contract, beginning July 1, 2023, and lasting through June 30, 2027, includes: 

• Substantial Wage Increases: Employees will receive an overall wage adjustment of approximately 18% over four years, averaging approximately 4.5% per year.

• Retirement Eligible Retention Bonuses: To address current staffing shortages and retain frontline employees, the MBTA will provide a bonus to retirement-eligible employees to remain with the authority for at least another year.

• Longevity Compensation Program: To recognize the contributions of the MBTA’s experienced mechanics and machinists and encourage them to remain with the authority, the MBTA will provide enhanced compensation to eligible employees upon reaching 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service.

• Expanded Bereavement Leave: The MBTA will expand the definition of bereavement leave to include domestic partners, which will allow employees to take the time they need to grieve without worrying about job security.

• Increased Tool and Meal Allowances: The MBTA will increase tool and meal allowances to help offset the costs associated with these expenses.

• State Vehicle Inspection Licensing Differential: Additional skills and training are required for employees to become licensed to perform state vehicle inspections, which are necessary to keep the MBTA’s buses on the road. To compensate for this additional responsibility, the MBTA will add a $2/hour differential for eligible employees.

• Enhanced Holiday Pay: The MBTA will increase Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday pay for all eligible employees.

• Apprenticeship Program for Machinists: The MBTA plans to establish an apprenticeship program for machinists, which will provide aspiring machinists with the training and experience they need to succeed in this field.

 “This new contract agreement is an incredible step toward helping the MBTA in its efforts to improve the system by both strengthening efforts to hire more workers and supporting the current hardworking MBTA machinists and mechanics that help power the T,” said Machinists Union Lodge 264 member Mike Vartabedian. “On behalf of Machinists Lodge 264, I want to offer my thanks to Governor Healey, Secretary Tibbits-Nutt, and General Manager Eng for investing in the dedicated transportation workforce and the shared goal of providing safe, reliable transit service that best meets the needs of the riding public.”