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A look at where some major local union negotiations stand

In this March 19, 2017, file photo, Boston Police patrol on bicycles during the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Boston. (Michael Dwyer/AP File)
In this March 19, 2017, file photo, Boston Police patrol on bicycles during the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Boston. (Michael Dwyer/AP File)

Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here


I hope your week kicks off with less animosity than the Sen. Ed Markey and Elon Musk cheeky Twitter fight. The two have been sparring after Markey made comments over the highly criticized changes to the social platform’s verification system and a rise in impersonator accounts.

Here’s what else is on our radar and in our feeds:

Guess what: The Orange Line is finally faster than it was before its monthlong shutdown this past summer — just like they said. While it took longer than expected and some slow zones will remain through the end of the year, WBUR’s Simón Rios reports that riders are at last seeing the benefits of the unprecedented diversion — including the fleet of new, more accessible Orange Line cars.

  • By the numbers: According to Transit Matters, there are just over four minutes of slowdown due to speed restrictions along the entire Orange Line, down from about seven minutes in August.
  • The bigger problem now is the Red Line, where slow zones contribute to over 10 minutes of delay along the entire line. Rios reports that transit advocates are frustrated by the lack of information from the MBTA about what they’re doing about it.
  • The other line we’re thinking about: Blue. Tonight through Thursday, shuttle buses will replace Blue Line service between Bowdoin and Orient Heights for track work. Plan accordingly!
  • One last PSA: There will be another meeting tonight at 6 p.m. for MBTA riders to weigh in on redesigning bus routes after the first had so many people that it hit Zoom’s capacity of 300 participants virtually. Here’s how you can watch and weigh in.

Starting today, teachers, paraprofessionals and school secretaries at Melrose Public Schools won’t be doing any work outside of what’s listed in their contracts. It’s called “working to rule,” and the union representing staff said it’s happening because they’ve been in negotiations with the districts since February — and their contract expired back in June. The biggest issues being worked through? Wages and prep time before classes.

  • Educators are also planning a rally tonight in front of Melrose City Hall. Melrose Public Schools have not responded to a request for comment, according to WBUR’s newscast team.

Another negotiation that’s not going super well? The one between Boston and the city’s largest police union. The two sides have yet to reach an agreement on pay increases, a reform to the disciplinary process and a proposal to allow citizens to work safety details.

  • The city and union aren’t even agreeing over the extent of the disagreement. The head of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association told WBUR’s newscast that they’re preparing to bring their case to an independent arbitrator, whereas a spokesperson from Mayor Michelle Wu’s office says there’s no impasse and they remain open to negotiating.

Speaking of things cooling off, the housing market is finally starting to slow down, according to new data from the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. The numbers show that 22% fewer homes were sold in Massachusetts last month compared to October of last year. And while the median cost of a home ($547,000) is still higher than last year, it is a 4% price drop from the previous month.

  • Why is this finally starting to (hopefully, fingers crossed) level off? Association President Dawn Ruffini told WBUR “we’re finally starting to kind of see the impact of the changes in interest rates.” At the moment, rates are around 7%, the highest they’ve been for the first time in two decades.

A list I preferred Boston was not on: “the rattiest cities.” Boston ranks 13 on the roundup from pest control company Orkin, which tracks which cities paid the most for exterminations over the past year.

  • The good news? We’re less “ratty” than New York and Philadelphia. (Yes, they are larger cities, but let me have this.)

P.S.— This newsletter’s normal star writer, Nik DeCosta-Klipa is on a well-earned vacation for the next few mornings — and he’s somewhere warm (yes, I’m jealous, too). In the meantime, thanks for hanging out with me while I’m back in the writing chair!

Headshot of Meagan McGinnes

Meagan McGinnes Assistant Managing Editor, Newsletters
Meagan is the assistant managing editor of newsletters.

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