Commuter rail workers in Boston rallied at South Station to demand fair wages and a new contract from Keolis, the company that operates the rail system for the MBTA. The workers, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 318, have been facing wage stagnation and lost pay raises for decades. Despite serving one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., these dedicated workers remain among the lowest-paid in the country.
At the rally, attended by U.S. Representatives Ayanna Pressley, Seth Moulton, and Stephen Lynch, as well as state Senator Brendan Crighton, IAM Local 318 members expressed their concerns over outdated wages in the face of soaring living costs. The union president, Jonathan Clark, highlighted that the workers’ contracts expired two years ago but they are not planning to go on strike. The goal of the rally was to bring attention to the need for fair wages that align with national standards for these essential workers.
In response, a Keolis spokesperson stated that the company is negotiating in good faith to reach fair agreements with the unions while being mindful of their role as financial stewards of the Commuter Rail on behalf of the MBTA and the Commonwealth. The workers are hopeful for a resolution that will address their concerns and bring their pay in line with industry standards.
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