Bolster Safety Rules

To the Editor:

After the two tragic fatalities, NYC Transit's response was to "retrain" all workers on the existing safety rules. It was reported in the media that Local 100 collaborated with NYC Transit in putting together these "safety stand-down" presentations. In most cases, workers were seated in a room and a boss read the flagging rules and other safety memos to them out loud. It was hardly a precedent-setting event.

The fact is that the existing track safety rules are not sufficient to protect workers. The flagging rules are primarily designed to facilitate on-time train performance. They are also designed to keep workers performing as much productive-type work as possible, rather then the protective work of flagging. Simply re-reading these grossly insufficient flagging rules to workers after these tragedies is definitely not the answer.

The flagging rules under which we toil must be upgraded. As is now obvious, working on the subway tracks is inherently dangerous. The track safety rules for this hostile and unforgiving environment must take into account that even the most minor mistake by a supervisor can send a worker home in a body bag. After seven fatalities since 2001, the need for safety improvements for NYC transit workers should be painfully clear to everybody.

Additional layers of safety protection are needed immediately. Without enhanced safety rules, TWU Local 100 blood will continue to be spilled on the railroad tracks in NYC.

The new MTA brass has made a lot of public statements regarding how much they care about their workers. They can speak all the niceties in the world, but without instituting track safety improvements, it's just the same old dog-and-pony show. Their actions will speak much louder than their words.

As The Chief reported, there is now a "much closer working relationship" between new NYC Transit President Howard Roberts Jr. and Local 100 President Roger Toussaint. Toussaint must use his newfound cozy relationship with the new MTA bosses to extract the necessary safety gains for Local 100 members. If the MTA refuses to concede, TWU Local 100 must go on the offensive. If necessary, Toussaint must put this union on a war footing to prevent Danny Boggs, Marvin Franklin, and the countless other brothers and sisters who preceded them into the grave, from having died in vain. Now is the time to stop the vicious cycle. Now is the time to stop the body count. If we have to fight it out to gain the protections we need, then so be it.

JOHN SAMUELSEN, TWU Local 100

Editor's note: Mr. Samuelsen is a Track Inspector and a union shop steward.