E-ZPass Workers Win First Contract!

After a 36 month battle, over 200 Staten Island-based E-ZPass workers have won a first contract!  The agreement improves job security,health care, and guarantees wage rates, while limiting sub-contracting. The contract is the result a fierce struggle by E-ZPass workers for their rights on the job at ACS, the Xerox division that runs the E-ZPass system for New York State agencies.

Congratulations to the E-ZPass workers, who are proud members of CWA Local 1102! The following is the news release announcing the victory: After 36 Month Battle, E-ZPass Workers Win First Ever Union Contract Agreement Improves Job Security, Health Care, Wages and Limits Contracting  After a 36 month fight with their employer, ACS, a Xerox Company, over.  200 E-ZPass workers at the Staten Island customer service and call center have won a first union contract.  Workers who were terminated for supporting the union will also get their jobs back or an option to collect back pay that they are owed. The union contract is the first of its kind in the E-ZPass system, which is contracted-out by public agencies to Xerox’s ACS division. The contract provisions include: guaranteed pay levels; free generic drug prescriptions; limits on subcontracting of work; improved flexibility for taking vacation time; and improved job security. “E-ZPass workers deserve fair treatment and compensation for very difficult work.  This contract is a big step forward for both E-ZPass workers and E-ZPass customers.  New York needs good jobs and good customer service, not a modern-day, call center version of the old piece-rate sweatshop system.  We are pleased to announce Xerox and CWA came to an agreement.  This is a major victory for working people and the 99%,” said Chris Shelton, Vice President, CWA District 1. In 2009, workers at the Staten Island E-ZPass call center approached CWA for help in forming a union.  Their employer at the time, Dallas-based Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), began a fierce campaign of intimidation and harassment of union supporters, including terminating workers for supporting the union.  ACS also filed numerous appeals at the Labor Board, effectively stalling the worker’s efforts by years. The E-ZPass workers held together and ultimately were certified by the NLRB in September of 2010. After a year of tough bargaining, Xerox and the Union came to an agreement, which was ratified by the E-ZPass workers. “This is a big victory for Staten Island.  Over 200 E-ZPass workers are getting a fairer shake, with a wage floor, better health care and improved job security.  With good jobs harder than ever to find, this couldn’t come at a better time,” said Ed Luster, President of CWA Local 1102. “Congratulations to the workers of the E-Zpass call center! This is a great victory for working people and a great victory for Staten Island residents who will continue to receive good quality customer service,” said Senator Diane Savino, who fought hard for the workers’ rights. Senator Savino repeatedly rallied with the workers, speaking out on their behalf with the Port Authority, MTA and Thruway Authority, which contract with Xerox to run the E-ZPass system. “E-ZPass workers stood up for their rights and I am proud to have stood with them.  I am pleased to see that Xerox came to an agreement with CWA and congratulate the E-ZPass workers for improving their own lives through activism.  They did it over incredible opposition and deserve real credit for standing strong.” said Senator Bill Perkins. As Chairman of the Senate’s Corporation, Authorities and Commissions Committee, Senator Perkins led a hearing on the failure of Xerox and the New York State Authorities to protect workers and consumers’ rights at the E-ZPass call center.  Senator Savino and Senator Perkins’ work was crucial to the workers’ victory. The contract will go into effect on December 12, 2011 and lasts 14 months.

Congratulations to the E-ZPass workers, who are proud members of CWA Local 1102!

The following is the news release announcing the victory:

After 36 Month Battle, E-ZPass Workers Win First Ever Union Contract Agreement Improves Job Security, Health Care, Wages and Limits Contracting 

After a 36 month fight with their employer, ACS, a Xerox Company, over.  200 E-ZPass workers at the Staten Island customer service and call center have won a first union contract.  Workers who were terminated for supporting the union will also get their jobs back or an option to collect back pay that they are owed. The union contract is the first of its kind in the E-ZPass system, which is contracted-out by public agencies to Xerox’s ACS division. The contract provisions include: guaranteed pay levels; free generic drug prescriptions; limits on subcontracting of work; improved flexibility for taking vacation time; and improved job security.

“E-ZPass workers deserve fair treatment and compensation for very difficult work.  This contract is a big step forward for both E-ZPass workers and E-ZPass customers.  New York needs good jobs and good customer service, not a modern-day, call center version of the old piece-rate sweatshop system.  We are pleased to announce Xerox and CWA came to an agreement.  This is a major victory for working people and the 99%,” said Chris Shelton, Vice President, CWA District 1.

In 2009, workers at the Staten Island E-ZPass call center approached CWA for help in forming a union.  Their employer at the time, Dallas-based Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), began a fierce campaign of intimidation and harassment of union supporters, including terminating workers for supporting the union.  ACS also filed numerous appeals at the Labor Board, effectively stalling the worker’s efforts by years.

The E-ZPass workers held together and ultimately were certified by the NLRB in September of 2010. After a year of tough bargaining, Xerox and the Union came to an agreement, which was ratified by the E-ZPass workers.

“This is a big victory for Staten Island.  Over 200 E-ZPass workers are getting a fairer shake, with a wage floor, better health care and improved job security.  With good jobs harder than ever to find, this couldn’t come at a better time,” said Ed Luster, President of CWA Local 1102.

“Congratulations to the workers of the E-Zpass call center! This is a great victory for working people and a great victory for Staten Island residents who will continue to receive good quality customer service,” said Senator Diane Savino, who fought hard for the workers’ rights. Senator Savino repeatedly rallied with the workers, speaking out on their behalf with the Port Authority, MTA and Thruway Authority, which contract with Xerox to run the E-ZPass system.

“E-ZPass workers stood up for their rights and I am proud to have stood with them.  I am pleased to see that Xerox came to an agreement with CWA and congratulate the E-ZPass workers for improving their own lives through activism.  They did it over incredible opposition and deserve real credit for standing strong.” said Senator Bill Perkins. As Chairman of the Senate’s Corporation, Authorities and Commissions Committee, Senator Perkins led a hearing on the failure of Xerox and the New York State Authorities to protect workers and consumers’ rights at the E-ZPass call center.  Senator Savino and Senator Perkins’ work was crucial to the workers’ victory.

The contract will go into effect on December 12, 2011 and lasts 14 months.