MWRA Employee Benefits
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

> Benefits for union employees

> Benefits for non-union employees

BENEFITS FOR UNION EMPLOYEES

Health Insurance
The MWRA offers employees a choice of several health insurance options including an indemnity plan, a preferred provider organization and several health maintenance organizations. Currently the MWRA pays 80% and the employee pays 20% for new employees. Coverage for new employees begins the first day of the month following 60 days from date of hire.

Dental Insurance
Dental benefits are provided through the Health and Welfare fund of the Union. Coverage for new employees begins after six months of service. Unit 6 employees may choose to be covered by the MWRA Dental Plan or by the Union Plan.

Basic Life Insurance
All health care options include a term life insurance policy of $5,000. Employee contributions are negotiated. Currently, the MWRA pays 80% and the employee pays 20% for new employees. Coverage for new employees begins the first day of the month following 60 days from date of hire.

Optional Life Insurance
Employees may elect additional term life insurance up to eight times their annual salary. Employees pay the full cost of these premiums. Coverage for new employees begins the first day of the month following 60 days from date of hire.

Mutual Aid
Mutual Aid is designed to provide employees with income protection on a short term basis if the employee is unable to work due to a non work related illness or injury. Employees who have completed their probationary period are eligible to participate in the Short Term Disability Mutual Aid program.

Long Term Disability Insurance
Employees may purchase long term disability insurance to provide a steady income if one becomes totally disabled. Benefits of 50% of salary are paid after an employee has been disabled for 90 days. Coverage for new employees begins the first day of the month following 60 days from date of hire.

Retirement
All employees are automatically enrolled in the MWRA Retirement System as of date of hire. Each pay period a percentage of an employee's salary is deducted from the paycheck and deposited into the MWRA Retirement System. The deduction is 9% on earnings up to $30,000 and 11% on earnings over $30,000.

Deferred Compensation
The MWRA offers a voluntary retirement savings program. This tax-deferred compensation plan allows the maximum deferral of $15,000 per year or 25% of the gross annual salary, whichever is less.

Direct Deposit
MWRA provides for direct deposit of paychecks into most banks.

State Employees Credit Union, Metropolitan Credit Union and Commonwealth Cooperative Bank
Employees may elect to join any of three credit unions. Payroll deduction of deposits is available.

Tuition Aid
Employees with six months of service are eligible for tuition aid for job related courses through two programs, tuition remission and tuition reimbursement. Tuition aid is provided for tuition, registration fees, and laboratory fees. Books and other fees that may be required by the school are not covered under either program.

Tuition remission, for classes at state schools, provides for a 50% or 100% reduction of tuition depending on an individual's student status (part-time or full-time). Employees are eligible to use the reimbursement program for the balance of allowable costs after remission.

Tuition reimbursement is an option when a desired course is not available at a State school. Reimbursement for courses at private institutions covers 80% of allowable costs up to a maximum of $1500 per individual per fiscal year. Unit 6 employees may receive up to $2000 per fiscal year. Availability of classes at state schools and use of the remission program must be fully investigated and documented before applying for tuition reimbursement at a private institution.

Holidays
MWRA observes 13 holidays per calendar year. There are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Evacuation Day, Patriot's Day, Memorial Day, Bunker Hill Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.

Vacation
Most employees earn 2 weeks vacation each year; Unit 6 employees earn 3 weeks per year to start. Vacation time is determined by years of service and union affiliation.

Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of sick leave for each full month on active status.

Personal Leave
Employees are entitled to three personal days each fiscal year.

Other Leave
The MWRA also offers other types of leave such as bereavement, civic duty, military, and family and medical leave.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free, confidential, professional counseling and evaluation service provided for employees and their family members.

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BENEFITS FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES

Health Insurance
The MWRA offers employees a choice of several health insurance options including an indemnity plan, a preferred provider organization and several health maintenance organizations. The MWRA pays 80% of health insurance premiums and employees pay 20% for new employees. Coverage for a new employees begins the first day of the month following 60 days from date of hire.

Dental Insurance
The MWRA offers employees dental insurance, and pays 90% of the premium. Coverage for new employees begins the first day of the month following 15 days from date of hire.

Basic Life Insurance
All health care options include a term life insurance policy of $5,000. The MWRA pays 80% of the premium for new employees. Coverage for new employees begins the first day of the month following 60 days from date of hire.

Optional Life Insurance
Employees may elect additional term life insurance up to eight times their annual salary. Employees pay the full cost of these premiums. Coverage for new employees begins the first day of the month following 60 days from date of hire.

Salary Continuation
Salary continuation provides income protection on a short-term basis if an employee is unable to work due to a non-work related illness or injury. Employees are eligible for salary continuation once they have exhausted their sick leave.

Long Term Disability Insurance
Employees may purchase long term disability insurance to provide a steady income if one becomes totally disabled. Benefits of 50% of salary are paid after an employee has been disabled for 90 days. Coverage for new employees begins the first day of the month following 60 days from date of hire

Retirement
All employees are automatically enrolled in the MWRA Retirement System as of date of hire. Each pay period a percentage of an employee's salary is deducted from the paycheck and deposited into the MWRA Retirement System. The deduction is 9% on earnings up to $30,000 and 11% on earnings over $30,000.

Deferred Compensation
The MWRA offers a voluntary retirement savings program. This tax-deferred compensation plan allows a maximum deferral of $15,000 per year or 25% of the gross annual salary, whichever is less.

Direct Deposit
The MWRA provides for direct deposit of paychecks into most banks.

State Employee Credit Union, Metropolitan Credit Union and Commonwealth Cooperative Bank
Employees may elect to join any of three credit unions. Payroll deduction of deposits is available.

Tuition Aid
Employees with six months service are eligible for tuition aid for job related courses through two programs, tuition remission and tuition reimbursement. Tuition aid is provided for tuition, registration fees, and laboratory fees. Books and other fees that may be required by the school are not covered under either program.

Tuition remission, for classes at state schools, provides for a 50% or 100% reduction of tuition depending on an individual's student status (part-time or full-time). Employees are eligible to use the reimbursement program for the balance of allowable costs after remission.

Tuition reimbursement for courses at private institutions covers 80% of allowable costs up to a maximum of $2000 per individual per fiscal year.

Holidays
MWRA observes 13 holidays per calendar year. These are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Evacuation Day, Patriot's Day, Memorial Day, Bunker Hill Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day

Vacation
Most employees earn 1.25 days (three weeks per year) of vacation for each month on active status. Directors in grades 16 and 17 earn 1.66 days per month (four weeks per year).

Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of sick leave for each full month on active status.

Personal Leave
Employees are entitled to three personal days each fiscal year.

Other Leave
The MWRA also offers other types of leave such as bereavement, civic duty, military, and family and medical leave.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free, confidential, professional counseling and evaluation service provided for employees and their family members.

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