Paratransit Business Warns 150 Local Employees of February Lay Offs

MV Transportation, Inc., a Dallas, Texas-based business in the transportation industry, has announced plans to lay off over 250 workers statewide - nearly 84% of its New York State workforce. Nearly 60% of MV Transportation's layoffs will impact workers based on Staten Island.

The New York State Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (NYS WARN), mandates private employers with 50 or more full-time employees in New York State to provide at least 90 calendar days advance written notice for plant closings, mass layoffs, relocation, or other covered reductions in work hours to all affected employees, employee representatives, the Department of Labor, and Local Workforce Development Boards.

In a November 11 notice posted to the New York State Department of Labor's WARN Database, MV Transportation, Inc. has declared its intention of laying off 80% of their workforce at 1957 Richmond Terrace in Port Richmond due to the conclusion of a paratransit contract. 150 of MV Transportation's 186 Staten Island employees will be laid off effective February 10, 2025.

MV Transportation oversees paratransit services for public transit agencies - like MTA's Access-A-Ride Paratransit - and has the largest privately-owned passenger transportation contracting firm in the United States. MV Transportation is also laying off 114 employees based in Harlem.

Workers at MV Transportation are represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union ATU Local 1181-1061, after a successful 2011 union election. Carolyn Rinaldi, Chief of Staff at ATU Local 1181-1061, when contacted for comment, indicated the Union is "saddened to hear about the developments with MV. Our members are highly trained and dedicated professionals who are well-informed and committed to their work. While the Union cannot prevent the layoffs, we are actively collaborating with other companies to ensure a smooth transition for our members, with minimal disruption to their current contracts." Rinaldi continues, "as a transportation union, we recognize that transportation is not a luxury but a necessity. Given the current challenges facing the industry, including the nationwide shortage, we strongly encourage our members to stay connected - together, we can explore alternative solutions and opportunities for the future. We are here to support our members through this transition and beyond."

120 MV Transportation employees in Hyattsville, Maryland represented by ATU launched a one-day strike in May 2021. An ATU press release at the time quoting Raymond Jackson, President Business Agent for ATU Local 689 notes, "paratransit workers have been left behind for too long. Our union won’t stop until we’ve turned paratransit jobs into a pathway to the middle class. Our paratransit workers, whether they’re dispatchers, reservationists, or drivers, are an essential part of keeping this region moving forward and it's time their paychecks reflected that."