MBTA Perk Earns Workers $49 Million in Unused Sick Time, Report Says

MASSACHUSETTS, MA -- A report recently released by the Pioneer Institute indicates that MBTA workers added some $49 million to their pensions for not using sick days

In 2014, 235 employees of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority had logged in more than 380,000 sick days, collectively, at the end of 2014, reported WCVB-TV.

At least 200 days of paid sick leave was saved by 235 employees; one employee had saved more than 400 sick days.

WCVB reports that the Institute calculated and compared what a state employee and MBTA employee would make if sick days were unused, resulting in thousands more in MBTA employee benefits. This perk was arbitrated for the Boston Carmen’s Union in 29175.

According to the Boston Herald, that means a T employee who retires with a $81,000 salary would get about $29,000 in pension pay with 150 unused sick days, which is not typical of most state workers.

The Pioneer Institute’s report can be found here.