Drivers: Bus co. shorted us

By Thomas Grillo | Friday, May 1, 2009 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Business & Markets

Photo by Ted Fitzgerald
Former bus drivers of Sunshine Travel Services say the company forced them to work up to 18 hours a day and refused to pay overtime, but the firm denies the allegations.

The 10 drivers, who gathered in Chinatown yesterday with dozens of supporters, detailed a systematic practice of "wage theft" and safety violations by the Boston company that offers trips to the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut.

"Not only did they rip off our wages, but they forced us to work 15- to 18-hour days without rest, impacting passenger safety," said Darian Chen, a former driver.

Wen Zhou, another former driver, said Sunshine cut the $100 daily rate to $90, saying business was down. "They told us the economy was bad and they had to cut our pay, but when the economy was good we never got a raise," he said.

Sue Chen, Sunshine's operations manager, denied the allegations. She said any worker who worked overtime was paid for it. "We are trying to survive because the travel business is down, and we asked everyone in the company to take a pay cut. But the 10 drivers refused and quit," she said.

But the operators insist they were fired. "We would like to sit down with the owner, but she won't meet with us," said Zhou.

A spokesman for Attorney General Martha Coakley would not confirm or deny whether the office is investigating Sunshine's labor practices.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1169314