Steamship Authority reaches agreements on three vessel employee contracts
FALMOUTH (June 17, 2025) – The Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority has reached a contract agreement with the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA) and two agreements with Teamsters Union Local No. 59. The contracts represent the three outstanding collective bargaining agreements for the Authority’s vessel work force.
The MEBA unit covers about 60 of the Authority’s licensed engineering officers. The Teamsters Licensed Deck Officer unit covers about 60 of the Authority’s captains, pilots, and mates. The Unlicensed Vessel Employee unit covers about 160 of the Authority’s deck department employees (ordinary and able-bodied seafarers, boatswains and pursers) and certain engine department employees (oilers and wipers), also represented by Teamsters.
“After nearly two years of thorough negotiations, I am pleased that these crucial contracts have been settled prior to the start of the busy summer season,” General Manager Robert B. Davis said. “The acceptance of these contracts by all three union groups and by the Authority reaffirms the shared commitment to continuing to operate the Authority’s vessels in a safe and reliable manner.”
“Our members have shown incredible solidarity and patience throughout this process,” said Jason Callahan, MEBA Atlantic Coast vice president. “This agreement is testament to the strength and diligent work of our Boston representatives, attorney, and above all our union delegates. We believe this contract provides significant gains for our members and lays the groundwork for more stable and prosperous future for everyone.”
Members of all three bargaining units overwhelmingly voted in favor of their respective contracts. The MEBA bargaining unit voted on June 11, 2025, and the Authority Board approved the contract at its monthly meeting, held Tuesday on Nantucket. The Licensed Deck Officer bargaining unit voted on May 20, 2025, while the Unlicensed Vessel Employee bargaining unit voted June 9, 2025. The Steamship Authority Board approved the Teamsters contracts in unanimous votes during the April 2025 and May 2025 executive session meetings, respectively.
Each of the contracts maintains the current triple-crew watch schedule that has long been used safely and efficiently by the Authority. However, MEBA and the Licensed Deck Officer bargaining units also each agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding memorializing an agreement to develop and potentially implement alternative crew watchstanding options on an island-based vessel in January 2027.
The MEBA and Licensed Deck Officer contracts each run from July 27, 2024, to July 23, 2027. The Unlicensed Vessel Employee contract runs from April 19, 2024, to April 16, 2027.
Further details of each respective contract may be found in the Staff Summaries linked below.
Staff summares regarding three union contracts
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Since 1960, the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority has served as the transportation lifeline to the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard year round. The Steamship Authority is the largest ferry service to the islands and offers the most frequent daily departures for passengers, automobiles, groups and trucks. In 2024, more than 2.9 million passengers and nearly 674,000 vehicles of all sizes were transported to and from the islands. Our U.S. Coast Guard-certified crews are committed to the highest level of safety at sea while our vessels offer comfort and convenience with spacious seating, free Wi-Fi and TV on board.