TLC Boss Says High Turnover Hurts Agency

By ARI PAUL

Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Matthew W. Daus told the City Council Transportation Committee March 25 that high attrition among his workforce was plaguing the agency.

GREGORY FLOYD: 'Finally admitting problem.'

While responding to questions about the agency's budget needs, Mr. Daus said that at any one time the TLC has 160 Enforcement Agents and 50 Inspectors, but loses 20 people to higher-paying jobs, often in other uniformed civil services.

Floyd: Nothing New

"My reaction to that is at least somebody from the administration finally realizes that," said Teamsters Local 237 President Greg Floyd, who represents Inspectors at the TLC. "This has been an ongoing problem for more than 20 years."

Mr. Floyd said this was a problem for peace officers throughout the city.

"It's not just limited to the Taxi and Limousine Inspectors," he said. "It's every peace officer title in this city, with the exception of Corrections, Bridge and Tunnel, Probation."

While Mr. Daus specifically talked about attrition rates, Mr. Floyd said the low pay was causing a recruitment problem in the agency as well.

"The administration does not regard the peace officers in these categories on the same scale as other peace officers," he said. "And I'm sure the TEAs would tell you the same thing."