By MIKE LEE

Software issues with payroll resulted in DC 37 members getting shorted comp time when they worked overtime at the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). With the union’s help, they won a substantial settlement from the agency.

Patricia Beckwith, Associate Cashier I and a member of Metropolitan Transportation Authority Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1655, first identified the discrepancy in her paycheck and reported it.

“There was something wrong with the system software,” said Magaly Rosario, president of Local 1655, whose members include clerical associates, cashiers, customer service specialists, and other MTA titles. “If you worked over 40 hours a week, you would get paid time and a half for the overtime. However, if you decided to bank or use it for comp time, you only received straight time instead of time and a half.”

The union filed a case in late November 2019 and, after undergoing a long struggle through the courts, the MTA agreed to settle with the affected workers for nearly $250,000 in April 2024, including additional damages.

While the lawsuit began with Beckwith and other Local 1655 members, it became clear as the MTA turned over more information that the issue affected all DC 37 members in the MTA, including those from Locals 2627, 1407, and 983.

“They were being shorted every time they worked overtime,” Rosario said.

The settlement benefited more than 150 DC 37 members within the MTA, including retired workers.

As part of the agreement, impacted DC 37 workers employed at the MTA will have the underpayment and additional damages added by the court as compensatory time in their banks. DC 37 members who have left the agency or have retired shall receive compensation based on the amount of time lost and added damages in cash.