How does OLMS protect mass transit employees?
When federal funds are used to acquire, improve, or operate a transit system, federal law requires protection of the rights of affected mass transit employees. OLMS ensures that fair and equal arrangements are in place before the Federal Transit Administration can release funds to grantees. The requirement to protect mass transit employees is contained in the Federal Transit Law, Section 5333(b) of Title 49 U.S. Code (formerly Section 13(c) of the Federal Transit Act). The law requires the following employee protection arrangements: • Preservation of rights and benefits under existing collective bargaining agreements • Continuation of collective bargaining rights • Protection of individual employees against a worsening of their positions related to employment • Assurances of employment to employees of acquired transit systems • Priority of reemployment • Paid training or retraining programs Employees who believe they have been adversely affected as a result of federal transit assistanc
