Checks Bounce for People Who Conducted Surveys for Santa Cruz METRO

Kimberlee Desmond spent part of June riding Santa Cruz buses and conducting a survey for the METRO system about who was riding and what the bus line could do to better serve them.

It was a good part time job, she said. Until she went to cash the check that finally arrived in late July and it bounced. 

"It's less than $200, but to me right now, I really need it," said Desmond, who was one of dozens of employees who did the surveys at $13 an hour.

She deposited the check from employer DAVON Wright Recruiting and Staffing in New York, but it was rejected for "insufficient funds." She called the company but no one returned her call. 

Single mother Brittany Schwintosky, 20, of Salinas deposited her check three times and it bounced all three times. Finally, she took the check into the bank, which honored it and paid her. She was assessed $45 of bounced check fees that weren't covered, and she'd like the money back.

Santa Cruz METRO staff said they are looking into the complaint.

"This is the first we've heard of this, we are dismayed at the news," said General Manager Les White. "We have contacted Nelson/Nygaard to find out what happened and we will make sure that the surveyors are compensated for their work." 

Nelson/Nygaard was the agency that put together the Short Range Transit Plan surveys, with staffing handled by the New York temp firm. 

METRO spokeswoman Liseth Guizar said the agency is trying to get to the bottom of why workers aren't being paid. 
Briana Lovell, with Nelson/Nygaard gave Metro this response late Friday:

"We had a total of 15 surveyors working on the project. The total cost (paid by NelsonNygaard to Davon Wright Staffing) was $4,456.35. This project was the first time we used Davon Wright, and this is the first we have heard of any payment issues, but we are doing everything we can to follow up with Davon Wright to find out what happened. We have never encountered this issue in our work with other staffing agencies, and we’re extremely disappointed to hear that this agency may have behaved improperly. Please let us know as any other questions come up and we’ll do our best to answer them. "

Patch is following the complaints. Check back for more information. If you worked but weren't paid, contact us at brad.kava@patch.com