The Brief
• Employees, union leaders, and riders raised serious concerns about Ben Franklin Transit’s leadership during a heated board meeting, citing allegations of retaliation, questionable financial decisions, and a toxic workplace culture that has escalated since CEO Thomas Drozt was hired in September 2024
• Former Chief Financial Officer Alex Smith resigned at the end of October 2025 and accused CEO Thomas Drozt of awarding contracts to friends and family, including a nearly $5,000 payment to a stepson’s company for a leadership workshop employees say never happened
• Teamsters Local 839 filed seven unfair labor practice charges against the agency and says dozens of grievances are heading to arbitration as workplace issues continue to mount
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Ben Franklin Transit is facing a crisis from within as employees, union leaders, riders, and drivers raise serious concerns about the agency’s leadership during a tense board meeting that highlighted allegations of retaliation, questionable financial decisions, and what some are calling a toxic workplace culture.
The harshest criticism came from the people who keep the buses running every day — drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, and administrative staff — who say the workplace has become hostile and fear retaliation for speaking out since CEO Thomas Drozt was hired in September 2024.
“BFT used to be one of the most coveted jobs in the Tri-Cities, we have such a bad reputation now and we just want things to change, the toxicity has to end,” said Michael Wells, a Ben Franklin Transit driver.
The concerns echo the resignation letter of former Chief Financial Officer Alex Smith, who resigned at the end of October 2025 after observing what he called questionable financial decisions and a disregard for financial standards. Smith accused Drozt of awarding contracts to friends and family, including a nearly $5,000 payment to a stepson’s company for a leadership workshop that employees say never happened.
Before Smith’s departure, employees reportedly raised concerns about the CEO’s alleged attempts to divert millions in taxpayer funds and award contracts to associates, but board members allegedly ignored those complaints.
Teamsters Local 839 says the agency is not just struggling — it’s spiraling out of control under Drozt’s leadership.
“Seems like all they want to do is discipline people constantly. They are extremely rude people; they violate the contract. We have, no exaggeration, dozens of grievances; many are going to arbitration. We filed seven unfair labor practice charges for illegal activity. They’re just out of control,” said Russell Shjerven of Teamsters Local 839.
Employees also raised concerns over questionable spending decisions that have emerged since Drozt took the helm, including more than $60,000 on luxury golf carts. Additional allegations suggest the CEO discussed moving $3 million in reserve funds into a grant program without board approval.
The financial concerns come at a time when public transit agencies across the region are facing budget pressures and increased scrutiny over spending practices. Ben Franklin Transit serves the Tri-Cities area, providing essential transportation services to thousands of residents daily.
Workers have expressed frustration that Drozt hasn’t been as committed to transit operations as initially presented during his hiring, with some employees feeling the agency has lost focus on its core mission of serving the community.
During the board meeting, riders also voiced their support for the employees who have raised these concerns.
“I am living proof that I couldn’t get anywhere without BFT. They’re not just drivers, and I’m not just a passenger; we’re family. I support them 100%,” one rider said during public comment.
While workers and riders demanded answers, CEO Thomas Drozt did not address the claims publicly during the meeting.
The allegations paint a picture of an agency in turmoil, with employees saying they fear speaking out about workplace conditions. Retaliation claims have created an environment in which staff worry about their job security when raising legitimate concerns about agency operations.
Ben Franklin Transit’s board says it has turned these allegations over to legal counsel for review. However, many employees who spoke say they won’t feel safe until there’s an outside, independent investigation and significant changes are made within the agency.
The labor disputes represent a significant challenge for the transit agency, which relies on its workforce to maintain daily operations serving the Tri-Cities community. With dozens of grievances heading to arbitration and seven new unfair labor practice charges filed, the agency faces potential legal costs and operational disruptions.
The mounting crisis has developed over more than a year since Drozt’s hiring, with workplace issues and alleged financial mismanagement building to the current confrontation between employees and leadership.
The board is expected to review the CEO’s contract as these new labor complaints move forward through the legal process. The outcome of these reviews could determine the agency’s future leadership structure and whether the workplace culture concerns raised by employees are addressed.
Ben Franklin Transit did not respond to requests for comment on the allegations. The agency’s response to the mounting pressure from employees, union representatives, and the community will likely shape its operations and reputation in the coming months.
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