Archive for April 2015
House Moves To Eliminate Taxpayer Protection Act (“Pacheco Law”)
Brothers and sisters: Yesterday was a terrible day for the public and for the members of Local 589. The Massachusetts House of Representatives released their draft budget, and it includes recommendations that eliminate the protections afforded by the Taxpayer Protection Act (“Pacheco Law”), jeopardizing not only your jobs but also the public interest. We are…
Read MoreSenate leaders skeptical of plan to allow more MBTA privatization
Boston Globe | By David Scharfenberg | April 16, 2015 Senate leaders are skeptical of a House plan that would open the door to more privatization of services at the beleaguered MBTA. The House has called for a suspension of the so-called Pacheco law, which creates obstacles to outsourcing, for five years for the T.…
Read MoreBaker’s MBTA task force could face pointed questioning on findings
State House News Service | By Matt Murphy | 04/15/2015 BOSTON — Members of Gov. Charlie Baker’s task force on the MBTA could face pointed questioning in two weeks when they testify before a legislative panel, as some senators raised concerns Tuesday over the underpinnings of their recent findings. Since the task force last week…
Read MorePolice Seeking Woman Who Spat at MBTA Employee
Transit Police are seeking the identity of the photographed individual, who allegedly spat at an MBTA employee. On Wednesday, April 1, at approximately 5:30 p.m., the subject spat at the MBTA bus operator of a Route 41 bus near the intersection of Columbia Road and Annabel Street. The subject then assaulted the operator with an…
Read MoreNotice of GIC Open Enrollment
GIC Health Fair 10 Park Plaza, Boston Wednesday, 04/15/2015 11am – 3pm. If you are already enrolled in the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) and are not making any benefit changes no action is required. April 8 – May 6 For Changes Effective July 1, 2015 Annual enrollment time is here, giving you the opportunity to…
Read More4 Lingering Questions After Scathing MBTA Report
WBUR NEWS | APRIL 10, 2015 | By ZENINJOR ENWEMEKA BOSTON A scathing report on the MBTA, released Wednesday by an advisory panel appointed by the governor, blasts the management of the beleaguered transit system and calls for widespread reforms. But there are still some lingering questions about the report’s findings. Here are a few of those…
Read MoreBaker panel kicks the can
CommonWealth Magazine | By James Aloisi | Wednesday, April, 8, 2015 IN THE AFTERMATH of the drip drip drip of a series of strategically placed leaks, the governor’s special commission on the MBTA has finally issued its report. It is a disappointing document that fails to address the MBTA’s real state-of-good-repair and capacity needs, fails…
Read MoreTime to pop this trial balloon
Commonwealth Magazine | James Aloisi | Apr 6, 2015 I KNOW SOMETHING about trial balloons. I launched a few myself when I was state transportation secretary. It’s a tried and true way for public officials to test whether there will be any meaningful push back to a decision before the decision is actually made. If…
Read MoreIs Gov. Baker’s Special Panel Evaluating the MBTA Fairly?
Frontier Group | Tony Dutzik | 04/07/2015 As Gov. Baker’s special panel on the MBTA prepares to release its recommendations for the future of transit in the Boston area, it is important that its conclusions be based on accurate information. Writing in CommonWealth yesterday, former state Transportation Secretary James Aloisi raised important questions about the…
Read MoreFollow Up to Union Lobby Day
Dear brothers and sisters, As you may know, April 2nd was Union Lobby Day at the Massachusetts State House. Members of Local 589 and unions all across the state came together educate our legislators and let them know we oppose Governor Baker’s proposed health insurance increase on state workers. As a follow up to Lobby Day,…
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