Tolltag employees on George Bush Turnpike facing a lay-off

by PegNews wire

In conjunction with the transition to all-electronic toll collection (all-ETC) on the President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT), the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) will implement a reduction in force (RIF) that will affect 25 cash collection employees effective July 1.

"The transition to all-ETC on the Bush Turnpike will reduce the overall number of employees needed for operations," said Interim Executive Director Janice Davis. "We regret that difficult decisions like this must be made to ensure the NTTA is operating efficiently as responsible stewards of our resources."

The NTTA used a point system, based on tenure and performance, to determine which employees would be affected by this RIF. Employees affected by the RIF will receive outplacement services at no cost. They also will receive their accumulated vacation pay.

When the NTTA made the decision to transition to all-ETC in July 2007, an employee transition plan consisting of additional training, professional development and mentoring opportunities was launched. Some highlights of the transition so far include:

Over 160 affected employees successfully transferred into other positions within the NTTA

205 employees attended computer skills training

200 employees attended the NTTA job fair

187 employees participated in job shadowing

154 employees attended the NTTA's professional development workshop

87 employees took the "Ace an Interview" workshop

44 employees completed "English as a Second Language" training

There will be additional opportunities for transition and training for remaining employees, and the NTTA is encouraging its employees to continue pursuing these options prior to the conversion of the Dallas North Tollway in 2011.

The transition to all-ETC is expected to enhance safety, while improving the flow of traffic and air quality.

Source: NTTA