Keolis inks labor contracts with 14 unions to operate, maintain MBTA commuter-rail service

Keolis Commuter Services (KCS) has reached agreements with all 14 labor unions representing its employees at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), which KCS will begin operating on July 1.

The agreements cover about 1,800 employees represented by the following unions: The American Railway and Airway Supervisor's Association, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, International Association of Machinists, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, National Conference of Firemen and Oilers, Joint Council of Carmen & Coach Cleaners, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers-Mechanical Department, Transportation Communications International Union, American Train Dispatchers Association, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen, United Transportation Union-SMART Transportation Division, and Sheet Metal Air and Rail Transportation Workers.

In January, Keolis was awarded an eight-year, $2.6 billion contract to manage, operate and maintain MBTA's commuter-rail service. The company is pledging to improve the system's on-time performance and "provide a better overall experience" for passengers, according to a press release.