WeDriveU and WMATA are Leaving MetroAccess Workers Out in the Cold

Today, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689, decried WeDriveU in the strongest possible terms for negligence of MetroAccess workers. For weeks, dedicated MetroAccess workers at the Hubbard Road facility have been forced to work in a space without properly functioning heat. The workers have been forced to endure the bitter cold, including through last week’s region-wide winter emergency. WeDriveU has repeatedly failed to fix the issue despite the Union and workers’ constant requests. As a result of floundering service and worker mistreatment, Local 689 is calling for WMATA to immediately take responsibility for the service and end this outsourcing.

Just last week, workers at the Hubbard Road facility reported to work to find the temperature was more than 15° below the set temperature. The HVAC system is still not functioning properly and the company’s half-hearted attempt to address workers’ concerns by providing a few small space heaters is unacceptable. To add insult to injury, Union members reported that management areas were heated during the same period. As such, the Union is calling on WMATA to use its authority to finally end this mismanagement and neglect by taking the work in-house.

“The heroes who transport individuals with disabilities throughout the DC region deserve to finally be given the fair conditions they have earned,” said Local 689 President Raymond Jackson “If WeDriveU and WMATA think that these conditions are acceptable, they should turn their thermostats in headquarters down to that level too.”

WeDriveU took over the MetroAccess operations after major company shakeups from what was formerly National Express. While the Union had a working relationship with National Express, that has not been the case with WeDriveU. Since recently being awarded the bid to operate MetroAccess, WeDriveU has repeatedly proved itself utterly incapable of providing adequate paratransit services and has failed to address safety concerns raised by the Union.

The disdain shown by the company at Hubbard Road is insulting to the frontline workers who have dedicated themselves to helping transport those in need. The Union is tired of the company’s excuses. As such, Local 689 implores WMATA to take responsibility. Paratransit services should be brought in-house as expeditiously as possible in order to serve riders and workers alike.