More than 20 CAT drivers suspended without pay over fingerprint clock system

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - More than 20 Chatham Area Transit drivers have been suspended without pay for refusing to use a new biometric fingerprint clock system, according to the union representing them.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1324 leadership claims the rollout violates bargaining rules and has left riders stranded.

The system uses drivers’ fingerprints to confirm routes and schedules. The union said it was forced on employees without proper bargaining and has already experienced glitches, stating that some have scanned in, but it showed a different profile.

According to a memorandum from CAT CEO Stephanie Cutter, the system was installed to improve timekeeping accuracy, reduce payroll errors and ensure wage-and-hour record-keeping requirements.

All employees are required to enroll in the system and use it as a condition of employment, which the union argues is a mandatory subject of bargaining.

Employees had until September 18 at 5 p.m. to enroll or face suspension and unpaid leave.

CAT responded after Tuesday’s press conference with the union, saying it is in the second year of implementing the system and has worked to provide employees and stakeholders opportunities to raise and address concerns about it.

Chatham Area Transit is committed to providing reliable service to our community while

ensuring the fair and consistent application of workplace policies.

CAT is currently in its second year of implementing its Biometric Timekeeping System.

Throughout this process, the Authority has worked diligently to provide employees and other

stakeholders with opportunities to raise and address concerns while maintaining the integrity,

accuracy, and accountability of the timekeeping process.

Beginning in June, employees received communication regarding the biometric timekeeping

requirements, the enrollment process, and the potential actions associated with noncompliance.

Employees were provided deadlines for enrollment, multiple opportunities to comply, and

assistance with completing the enrollment process.

As CAT addresses the remaining instances of noncompliance, the Authority will continue to

administer its established policies and procedures. CAT will handle any employment-related

actions in accordance with established CAT policies and applicable CBA requirements.

CAT remains focused on maintaining operational continuity, supporting employees through the

compliance process, and minimizing any impact on the safe and reliable transit services our

community depends upon.

Additional information [for media]:

● Routes 25, 27, 28, 10E, and 14 had buses in operation on September 21st.

● CAT currently has 49 active bus operators.

● Since September 18th, 21 bus operators have been sent home for non-compliance due

to a breach of contract.

● Under the CBA, CAT has the exclusive right to manage business operations and

policies. This includes implementing a modern, accurate timekeeping system.

● Any technical issues with biometric scanning will be investigated and addressed

Chatham Area Transit spokesperson

ATU Local 1324 President Donya Swinton said the system targets union members, adding that fixed route, paratransit and ferry operators do not have to follow the new timekeeping rules.

“The union will not stand for threatening, harassment, bullying, retaliatory behaviors by Stephanie Cutter,” Swinton said. “When you have a condition of employment, or you change our work condition, it’s to be bargained, you have to sit down with us because this has never been done.”

Swinton said official paperwork arrived only eight days before suspensions started, short of the two-week notice under their current agreement about policy changes and enforcement.

Regional labor leaders echoed frustrations about communication and implementation.

Christi Hulme, Savannah Regional Central Labor Council President, said, “I am asking the board to stop treating the deteriorating relationship between CAT management and its unionized workforce as simply another labor dispute.”

CAT Board Member Adot Whitely attended the meeting and said CAT can be great but has never been at this point, with around 45 to 50 drivers when the system is supposed to have 110, on top of the recent suspensions.

“We don’t need to be terminating people at this point. We need to make sure people are getting to their doctor appointments, we need to make sure that people are getting to work, we need to make sure that people are able to be productive members of our society,” he said.

Whitely also gave Cutter grace, as it was a tumultuous time before she took over the CEO role officially in 2024.

“I think she’s doing the best she can. I do think there are some things that we need to talk through as a board, and I’m just asking everybody who is paying attention to stay engaged,” he said.

The dispute comes as the union and transit authority remain in contract arbitration.

CAT Chairman Detric Leggett said, “It’s all hands on deck at this point. We want to find out from everybody what do we do? How do we fix this and there’s no stone unturned when we try to fix an issue. Any issue that comes up, anything that happens because not only are we dealing with our senior citizens, we dealing with our kids who use bus service to get from point-a to point-b.”