The contract extension, worth about $174 million, was signed Thursday.

T officials had planned to hire a private company at less money for commuter rail maintenance.

But the Transit Workers Union, which represents the Amtrak workers, complained that the move would violate labor practices and the U.S. Department of Labor sided with the union.

"Working with Amtrak, we were able to take approximately $10 million off their last bid price," T spokesman Brian Pedro said Friday.

"While it wasn't the bid we set out for, we're looking forward to working with Amtrak and are pleased there will be no disruption in commuter rail service."

A federal judge allowed the T to renegotiate with Amtrak even as it negotiates a settlement with Bay State Transit, the private company it planned to hire for the work.

Publication date: 2000-05-27