Scrutinize the Field

To the Editor:

I read the letter entitled "A Vote for Toussaint" in last week's publication. The Bus Operator closed the letter by summarizing that a vote for Barry Roberts is a vote for the International and Sonny Hall.

On Oct. 21, 22, and 23, I personally asked Bus Operators and Mechanics at the Manhattanville Bus Depot one question. What is the platform of Rail and Bus? Surprisingly, 73 to 1 stated that they didn't know. I found this surprising since Barry Roberts is from Manhattanville and no one knows what he stands for or what he plans to accomplish if he succeeds in winning the election. The one person who said he knows stated that Barry wants to oust Toussaint.

Voter dissatisfaction is not a goal, plan or positive future projection; it's also a poorly managed campaign strategy. One other article in a daily news publication stated that Barry refuses to debate Toussaint. Many of the Bus Operators I surveyed stated that if Barry is afraid to debate Toussaint; then how does he expect to negotiate a contract with the MTA? Perhaps he expects the International to do that for him, as stated by those Bus Operators. If he can't stand to get a little beat up and bloodied, then he's in the wrong business.

I relate all this to say to my fellow operators, Mechanics, Engineers, Conductors and Traffic Checkers in the rail yards and bus depots; take a step back and listen to the candidates. Most importantly, know the candidate you are voting for and what they stand for. The "well, he's a nice guy" voting strategy won't get you a decent contract or save your job from the many laid-off employees of corporations that have moved their headquarters overseas. They all didn't relocate overseas with their corporations, and many with master's degrees are coming for "your job" and feel they can do it better. Who is going to stand up for you? Is it going to be the International, or an individual candidate whom you've researched on your own, know where he stands and now are prepared to support?

AL LOVING, TWU Local 100 Shop Steward MaBSTOA Manhattanville Depot