NJ Paratransit Workers To Get Pay Bump During States Of Emergency

NEW JERSEY — They go above and beyond to provide public transportation for thousands of New Jersey residents with disabilities. But according to advocates, whenever a “state of emergency” has been called during a severe storm, Access Link workers and contractors with NJ Transit have found themselves facing long hours as essential workers – without the pay to back it up.

That’s been fixed with a new law recently signed by Gov. Phil Murphy, advocates say.

Last week, Murphy gave the green light to A-2857/S-2977. The legislation requires NJ Transit to pay paratransit staff “time-and-a-half” for working when the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) issues a commercial vehicle travel restriction, such as during a snowstorm.

The pay bonus is only available for hours worked during the actual period of the travel restriction. The bill covers paratransit drivers and attendants, as well as other workers such as mechanics, technical support staff or any employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement with NJ Transit or its subcontractors.

NJ Transit’s paratransit bus program – known as Access Link – was established to provide public transportation to people with disabilities who are unable to use the local bus service, as per the American with Disabilities Act.

• See Related: NJ Transit's Access Link Program Found In Violation Of Federal ADA Law

“These drivers quite literally put their lives on the line to ensure our most vulnerable residents make it home safe, but for far too long their contributions to our nation-leading transportation system have gone overlooked,” Murphy said.

“This legislation serves as an acknowledgment of their tremendous sacrifices and underscores the importance of safe and equitable transportation for all,” the governor added.

NJDOT Commissioner and NJ Transit Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti issued a joint statement after the signing of the bill last week:

“When inclement weather requires restricting certain types of travel on state highways, Access Link continues to operate to ensure the customers who rely on this service have the transportation they need. This legislation demonstrates the value and importance of these paratransit drivers.”

Sen. Gordon Johnson, a primary sponsor of the law, said that when bad weather hits, Access Link drivers have often been left out in the cold.

“Because they are required to finish their routes – even during commercial travel bans – they may have to work hours after their shift is scheduled to end to get riders home safely,” Johnson pointed out. “Then workers reliant on public transportation are left with no other option than to stay overnight at the bus depot, since NJ Transit service is suspended.”

“At minimum, these workers are entitled to increased compensation when driving in these hazardous conditions,” Johnson said.

Last year, Sheila Graham, a shop steward with the United Service Workers Union Local 455, testified before the Assembly Transportation Committee about what it’s like to work at her job in Newark during blizzards, storms and other emergencies, pointing out that she and her peers are often left struggling to get back to their families after a hard day on the job (watch the video below).

“We are emergency workers – there has never been a doubt about that – but I am glad for the state recognizing that fact,” Graham said last week, reflecting on the push to get the bill over the finish line.

Connor Shaw, a political director and business agent with the United Service Workers Union, applauded the passage of the bill.

“Paratransit drivers work hard jobs, they take New Jersey’s most vulnerable citizens to life-critical appointments like chemotherapy and dialysis,” Shaw said. “These drivers deserve recognition for risking their lives during states of emergency to make sure that our state’s disability population is not forgotten about.”

• See Related: NJ Paratransit Workers Push For Equal Pay In 'States Of Emergency'

According to the Office of Legislative Services (OLS), the new law will increase expenditures for NJ Transit, but the exact number is unclear:

“According to data available through an online employment marketplace, the average hourly wage for an Access Link operator in Newark, New Jersey is roughly $28 per hour. Based on this amount, the bill would increase NJ Transit’s personnel costs by approximately $14 per hour for each person who operates an Access Link vehicle during an applicable commercial vehicle travel restriction. However, the OLS is unable to quantify the annual fiscal impact of the bill because the OLS is unable to predict: (1) the number of hours in which weather-related commercial vehicle travel restrictions will be imposed each year; and (2) the number of Access Link service routes that will be impacted by such restrictions.”

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