Boston, Massachusetts – On 10/23/2024, national and local leaders of the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) took part in a multi-union protest of Keolis Commuter Services in Boston, Massachusetts. The protest was a response to Keolis’s refusal to provide fair wage increases during what has become a protracted round of bargaining.
ATDA’s members at Keolis have been directly impacted, as they have worked without a new agreement for two years, and currently earn nearly 13% less than their ATDA counterparts from Amtrak (some of whom work in the same building). What’s more, Keolis currently demands that its ATDA Train Dispatchers pay retroactive healthcare contributions as part of any new agreement.
In a time when many other railroads are displaying a readiness for change, the actions of Keolis have positioned them as a backward-thinking holdout in an industry that may finally be moving forward. Unfortunately, however, “moving forward” isn’t just critically important for the underpaid Train Dispatchers. That’s because Train Dispatchers are highly skilled workers, who work in safety critical positions, in a competitive job market. Keolis after all, is not the only employer of Train Dispatchers in its passenger-rail-rich market… or even in its own building. Being the lowest payer may save the corporation a few dollars, but it may also encourage Keolis Train Dispatchers to take their specialized and valuable skillsets to neighboring railroads across town, or across the hall.
That’s why this isn’t just a Train Dispatcher problem, it’s a Boston problem. Are Bostonian commuter train passengers comfortable with Keolis initiating an exodus of its talented Train Dispatchers, who protect countless lives each day, through corporate greed?
ATDA President Ed Dowell, who was on hand for and spoke at today’s protest, offered a very direct commentary on the situation, “This rally demonstrated that rail labor is unified in our pursuit of a fair agreement. Our Keolis members should not be making $50 less per day than our Amtrak members, while they work side by side. We have been bargaining for two years and Keolis has refused to properly address our concerns. ATDA will do whatever it takes to get a fair and ratifiable agreement.”
ATDA Vice President Barry Cross, who was also on hand for the event, added the following, “It is time for Keolis to get off their rear ends and give all Union workers on property the wages they deserve! The ATDA is committed to continue working toward this goal and obtain the best agreement possible!”
MBCR System Committee System Treasurer / Vice General Chairman Sarah Gouthro, who works as a Keolis Train Dispatcher, offered first-hand insight on the situation, “Today’s rally was a show of solidarity of the 14 unions that maintain and operate the commuter rail in Boston and an expression of our fight to secure fair and equitable contracts for our members. We’ve been at the negotiating table for almost 2 years and its time for our Carrier to step up and meet us with wages and work rules that reflect the safety and efficiency that we provide. WE CONTROL THE RAILROAD. It’s time our Carrier recognizes that.”