New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority will review its $152 million, five-year contract with the provider of its paratransit Access-a-Ride service after board members heard several employees speak of mistreatment.
MTA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast said he has discussed the matter with James Fererra, the head of MTA's New York City transit unit.
"We're in agreement that we need to take a close look at the terms and conditions of the contract, are they being met, as well as the fair and equitable treatment of its employees," Prendergast said Sept. 24 at the MTA's monthly board meeting after Global Contact Services LLC workers complained at length about working conditions.
"It needs that sense of urgency," Prendergast told board member Lawrence Schwartz. "They've been complaining for a while."
The MTA is one of the largest municipal issuers with $36 billion in debt.
Salisbury, N.C.-based GCS coordinates paratransit service citywide out of a call center in Queens under an agreement that began in 2013. GCS succeeded First Transit Inc. of Union, N.J.
Some employees told board members they were fired or otherwise disciplined for being late to work, even though Access-a-Ride - their employer - caused the lateness. Others spoke of extremely cold working conditions and terminations after 89 days in the job to keep the company from paying benefits.
John Samuelsen, president of Transit Workers Union Local 100, called on the MTA to terminate the contract.
"Abuse is rampant," he said.
A message seeking comment was left with GCS.
