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Mass. Toll Workers To Receive Pay Raises Under Tentative Deal

BOSTON (CBS) – Four hundred Massachusetts toll workers will be getting raises over the next two years before their jobs are eliminated in 2016, under a tentative agreement reached Friday between the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the toll workers' union.

State and union officials reached the agreement on Friday that also allows for toll workers to avoid any layoffs related to the All-Electronic Tolling system until June 30, 2016.

The tentative deal will set aside money for education and career training for workers who lose their jobs as a result of the switch to AET.

Some 200 workers will be offered retirement incentives.

"It is never a happy moment when employees lose their jobs to advanced technology, but we are pleased that this agreement provides some additional income, retirement enhancements and job training and relocation opportunities to those toll collectors and couriers who have served the Commonwealth so well for so many years, Robert F. Cullinane, Secretary-Treasurer/Principal Executive Officer, Teamsters Local 127 said in a news release.

MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey says the wage increases will be offset by the $50 million in projected annual savings projected from the switch to AET.

"I am pleased to see we have reached a comprehensive and timely agreement that is fair to our employees as we transition to a tolling system that will boost safety and convenience for our customers while realizing significant annual savings," Davey said in the release.

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