Union to MTA Board: New Contractor Should Retain First Transit Employees
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 -- TWU Local 100 Rep Joseph Sammarco told the MTA's Board of Directors that the Authority should retain the experienced professionals who staff the Access-A-Ride call center now that a new company has been selected to manage the business. On the recommendation of its Selection Committee, The MTA Board voted to award the operation of the Paratransit Call Center to a new firm, Global Contact Services, ending its relationship with First Transit. First Transit is a large multi-national company that manages call centers and transit networks around the United States. Global Contact specializes in call centers. TWU Local 100 represents 685 call takers and dispatchers at the Paratransit Call Center, and the MTA has spent millions training and supporting these professionals. With the contract term ending on March 31, TWU Local 100 is moving to maintain continuity of employment for our members at First Transit as the new company takes over operations. Global Contact Services tendered a bid of $152.9 million over five years to run paratransit for the MTA, besting First Transit's offer of $155 million.