MetroAccess Call Center Workers Win a Strong Contract and Respect

MetroAccess Call Center Workers Win Strong Contract and Respect

Workers staged a one-day strike to ramp up pressure

Fed up with unfair labor practices and poor treatment by their employer MV Transportation, on May 14th , Local 689-Washington, DC, members working at the MetroAccess Call Center in Hyattsville, MD, walked off the job and out on strike.

WMATA contracts with MV Transportation, a private corporation, to provide dispatch, reservation, and scheduling of all MetroAccess paratransit services.

Despite working through a pandemic for more than a year on an expired contract, MetroAccess Call Center workers were offered a meager 1% wage increase by MV transportation. Morale was plummeting, with turnover at near 100% and call-outs so common that it was making an already bad system worse for riders with disabilities who rely on MetroAccess as a lifeline.

Workers return to work after strike leads to progress at the table

With their unfair labor practice strike sending a strong message to contractor MV Transportation and accelerating progress in negotiations, MetroAccess Call Center workers decided to return to work and continue negotiations with the multinational company in hopes of reaching a deal. Under the back-to-work agreement, the Union agreed to call off the strike immediately, and MV Transportation agreed that no workers would be retaliated against for striking and that it will adhere to federal labor laws.

Workers Win Raises in One-Year Contract

Negotiations resumed resulting in a strong contract that guarantees the workers substantial wage rate increases, strengthened seniority provisions, increased employer 401(k) retirement contributions, remote work provisions, and workplace protections. On July 30th, the Local 689 members voted to approve the one-year collective bargaining agreement.

“Our brothers and sisters showed solidarity, resolve and unity on the picket line and throughout their campaign for this contract,” said ATU International President John Costa. “They have been working throughout the pandemic to ensure the people who depend on MetroAccess can get to the doctor, grocery store, and other important appointments. They deserve this contract which treats them like the heroes they are.” v