Safety Vs. Discipline

To the Editor:

The draft reports of the Board of Inquiry into the deaths of Track Workers Daniel Boggs and Marvin Franklin highlight the need to change the "organizational culture" that contributed to the deaths. Although disciplinary hearings don't take place on the tracks, New York City Transit's disciplinary machine is a key part of the culture that leads to unsafe work practices.

Many Conductors work in the position of Construction Flagger. The job of flaggers is to protect contractors working on or next to the tracks by using red, yellow, and green flags or lamps, and tripping devices to warn Train Operators that there are workers on the tracks and to slow or stop the trains when necessary.

Right now, a Construction Flagger is facing a 15-day suspension because she questioned whether there were enough Flaggers assigned at a particular worksite. Because she disagreed with the supervisor, she is being charged with insubordination.

Working on the tracks will not be made safer if the people doing the work know they might be written up and lose several weeks pay if they question an unsafe practice. If anyone is to be disciplined, it should be the supervisors who try to silence the workers who insist on safe working conditions.

STEVE DOWNS, Chairman, Train Operators Division, TWU Local 100