New Jersey Toll Collectors Face Pay Cut

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) -- Privatization would likely mean pay cuts for toll collectors on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

The Record newspaper reports specifications released Wednesday show the minimum pay for full-time collectors at $12 an hour and $10 an hour for part-timers.

Longtime collectors earn around $65,000 per year.

The "request for proposals'' comes as the toll collectors' union negotiates a new contract for the 663 turnpike and 176 parkway employees.

Specifications call for a private firm to provide "toll attendant services'' from July 6, 2011, through July 5, 2016.

Turnpike Authority spokesman Tom Feeney says there would be fewer collectors on the roads.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)