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Biased View on Line Mgrs.

To the Editor:

In reading Transit Supervisors Organization Chairperson James Temples III's analysis (Oct. 3 issue) of the MTA line manager program, one must take his views with a huge grain of salt. After all, Mr. Temples III is a member of management, speaking about a management proposal favored by his boss. What else could he say?

As for his assertion that this program would "boost worker morale" and make for a more "harmonious" workplace, due to "accountability," it is quite typical for MTA management to view things through such a skewered prism. Needless to say, I disagree with this view.

Management treating workers with respect would "boost worker morale" and create a more "harmonious" workplace far more than "accountability" ever could.

From the transit workers' point of view, the jury is still out on the MTA line manager program. In fact, there have already been reports of Cleaners wearing customer service badges (broadbanding), restricted-duty jobs being eliminated on line manager stations and disputes between line manager CTAs and regular station CTAs on simple matters like which solar can each can use to dump trash, when they both share the same complex, like Union Square.

In my opinion, it will not take heavy-handed managerial techniques to make this a viable program. Only a cooperative, respect-driven joint venture between management and employees, with an extreme amount of oversight by TWU Local 100 to guard against management abuses will make the MTA line manager program a success.

PAUL PIAZZA, Station Agent