Careers at METRO | Public transit and transportation jobs | Houston, TX (2024)

Union Benefits


Click or tap any of the tabs below to see a general overview of the benefits we offer full-time union employees. More detailed information about our benefits package for union employees is provided in the Common Questions section further down on the Careers web page.

Health Plan Details
Cigna (high deductible, basic or moderate plan) You can choose any health care provider in the Cigna Open Access Plus network and HMO plan.
KelseyCare You can choose any Kelsey-Seybold doctor or allied health professional in the Houston area.
KelseyCare Advantage Must have Medicare Part A & B to enroll (Active or Retiree)
Aetna Medicare Advantage Must have Medicare Part A & B to enroll (Active or Retiree)

All medical plans include prescription drug coverage through Cigna.

You have the option to pick up prescriptions in-person or receive them via U.S. mail.

Copays vary by plan and whether the drug is generic, preferred brand, non-preferred brand or specialty.


METRO's dental plan is provided by Cigna.

You have the option of selecting a DHMO or PPO plan.

DHMO is in-network only. PPO is in- and out-of-network.


METRO's vision plan is provided by Davis Vision.

It covers routine eye exams and helps you pay for glasses or contact lenses.

You can choose an in-network or out-of-network plan. You must have medical benefits to elect this benefit.


You can accumulate points by participating in various wellness activities. Those points can earn you a discount on your monthly medical rates and additional paid time off.

Wellness activities include:

  • Various forms of physical activity
  • Preventive health screenings
  • Online health coaching

Wellness programs vary from year to year.


Paid time off (PTO) is determined as follows (certain restrictions and stipulations apply):

Amount of PTO Tenure Details
Five days After six months of continuous service These five days don't accrue. They can only be used between six months and one year of continuous service.
One week After one year of continuous service Must be taken in a one-week increment*
Two weeks If employee had 12 months or more of continuous service on the preceding December 31 Must be taken in one-week increments*
Three weeks If employee had five years or more of continuous active service on the preceding December 31 Must be taken in one-week increments*
Four weeks If employee had eight years or more of continuous service on the preceding December 31 Up to one week of PTO may be taken in single day increments.
Five weeks If employee had 15 years or more of continuous service on the preceding December 31 Up to one week of PTO may be taken in single day increments.


*A vacation week consists of seven consecutive days including an employee's day off.

Paid time off (PTO) is also made up of the following per calendar year:

  • Nine designated holidays
  • Eight hours of birthday pay
  • Eight hours of anniversary date pay

Employee days and paid holidays may not be carried over from year to year.

Full-time union employees who have completed at least six months of employment with METRO are also eligible to receive paid sick days, if needed.

For full-time union employees hired after Oct. 1, 2012, METRO offers both of the following:

  • 457(b) deferred compensation plan (including an after-tax Roth 457 option)
  • 401(a) defined contribution plan

Both are administered by Empower Retirement and as an employee, you'll have a login and password to access your account online.

METRO automatically contributes 2% of your annual salary to your 401(a).

Additionally, if you choose to contribute money to your 457(b) deferred compensation plan, METRO will match your contribution up to 4% and put it in your 401(a). That money will not appear on your paycheck; it's deposited directly in your 401(a) retirement plan.

Example for an employee with an annual salary of $36,000:

Employee Contribution to 457(b)METRO MatchInitial 401(a) Contribution by METROTotal 401(a) Contribution by METRO
1% of annual salary ($360)$3602% of annual salary ($720)$1,080
2% of annual salary ($720)$7202% of annual salary ($720)$1,440
3% of annual salary ($1,080)$1,0802% of annual salary ($720)$1,800
4% of annual salary ($1,440)$1,4402% of annual salary ($720)$2,160
5% of annual salary ($1,800)*$1,4402% of annual salary ($720)$2,160

* The 5% contribution example is meant to show that for any employee contribution to the 457(b) that exceeds 4%, the other columns/fields remain the same. So, for an employee with an annual salary of $36,000, the maximum total annual contribution METRO will make to that employee's 401(a) is $2,160.


Other benefits include, but are not limited to the following:

Type Benefit Offered Details
Child Care Assistance Monthly benefit of $200. This benefit is after-tax and will appear on your W-2 tax form at the end of the year. To receive the benefit, employees must register with the TOOTRiS child care technology platform which connects parents and providers. If you currently use a child care facility that isn't on the TOOTRiS platform, TOOTRiS will work with that facility to get them signed up.
Short-Term Disability METRO offers short-term disability - you must be enrolled in the medical to participate in this benefit. Administered by Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company
Life and AD&D Insurance Basic insurance coverage is provided at no cost to full-time, salaried employees. Voluntary coverage can be added for an extra cost. Administered by Sun Life Financial
Tuition Reimbursement Up to $5,000 per calendar year To be eligible, an employee needs to complete six months of employment with METRO prior to the start of the course, degree or certification.
Careers at METRO | Public transit and transportation jobs | Houston, TX (2024)
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