USA Today recently released a report highlighting American cities that have experience significant drops in wages in recent years, and Santa Cruz, Calif., ranks high on the list despite an investigation into the transit system that found a time and attendance policy that has resulted in soaring overtime costs during 2012. According to the USA Today study, the average weekly wage rate in the metropolitan area fell from $856 in 2011 to $849 a year later.

However, investigations conducted by Santa Cruz Sentinel found the Metro Santa Cruz paid $2 million in overtime wages during 2012. The report indicated that nearly 20 percent of Metro workers accrued more than $10,000 in overtime payments during the year, but others earned wages nearly equal to their regular paycheck, effectively doubling their salary. United Transportation Union Local 23 chair Eduardo Montesino explained that senior employees could earn $10,000 in overtime wages working less than six additional hours per week based on their regular pay rate.

Metro General Manager Les White told The Sentinel that working past regular hours during the day is simply a part of the transit industry. White reported being far more concerned about satisfying the expectations of riders than maintaining low overhead costs. As a result, the Metro is recruiting and hiring new workers to help alleviate the stress put on the budget and current drivers.

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