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From the City & Region staff at The Boston Globe

Transportation chief cuts Turnpike Authority perks

Email|Print| Text size + By the Boston Globe City & Region Desk
September 14, 06 06:04 PM

By Mac Daniel, Globe Staff

Transportation Secretary John Cogliano today announced changes in Massachusetts Turnpike Authority policies that he estimated will save $1.4 million a year and bring it in line with other state agencies.

The changes include:

Ending a sick leave program that gave employees free health insurance if they used three or less sick days in a calendar year, a savings of $1.11 million.

Changing the authority's work week from 36.25 hours to 37.5, with a 45-minute lunch break instead of an hour, for a savings of $139,000.

Rescinding a policy that gave employees and retirees free passage through turnpike toll booths and on the MBTA, a savings of about $130,000.

Ending a policy that gave employees one floating holiday a year, a savings of $16,000.

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