EZ Pass Workers Protest Unfair 'Piecework' Pay

In a campaign that has won support of New York state lawmakers, activists and unions, and Spanish-language organizations, EZ Pass workers in Staten Island, members of CWA Local 1102, are refusing to handle Spanish-language calls because they are paid less than co-workers who handle calls in English.

The 300 EZ Pass workers won CWA representation last May. Immediately after the election, Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), the company that operates EZ Pass for the Metropolitan Transit Authority, Port Authority and Thruway Authority, illegally implemented a sweatshop-like "piece-rate" pay system that punishes workers for doing their jobs. ACS also has refused to recognize the workers' union.The regional NLRB office has issued a complaint against ACS for refusing to bargain with the workers over the pay system. But the case can't go forward because the full NLRB only has two members.

Under the piece work pay system, workers get paid based on the number of calls handled. More calls mean higher pay. But Spanish calls take longer because of the differences between languages, and that means lower pay for the 16 workers handling the calls. The workers' campaign for fair pay has won positive public attention and resulted in charges of discrimination being made by state lawmakers. State Senator Diane Savino (D- Staten Island/Brooklyn) who will join the workers at a news conference outside the call center next week said the company's actions "will not be tolerated in a company that is doing business with the State of New York."

"Paying people per call is like piecework in a sweatshop," said District 1 Vice President Chris Shelton. "The MTA, Port Authority and Thruway Authority are responsible for their for-profit contractor's outrageous and illegal actions. They cannot allow ACS to discriminate against Spanish-speaking workers and customers.