Union Protests Efforts To Privatize MBTA
BOSTON (CBS) - The battle lines are being drawn between MBTA management and its biggest union. The issue? Privatization of jobs.
A couple of hundred union members packed an MBTA board meeting Monday making sure their voices were heard.
The 'T' has a $100 million operating budget deficit and management has indicated that they are considering privatizing some bus and maintenance operations, that's something union leadership is against.
"Privatization we feel is not the answer," said Carmen's Union President James O'Brien. "What will happen is they'll raise fares cut service and reduce benefits of the men and women at the MBTA."
O'Brien says the union has presented a plan to save $24 million over the next four years, but hasn't heard back from T management.
An MBTA spokesman contacted by WBZ said, "The MBTA's focus is on delivering reliable service to our riders at a sustainable price and whether it's done publicly or privately should not be the issue."
The union has a meeting with upper management set for later this month. The Carmen's Union is under contract until 2018.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports
