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MBTA union files grievance over tough new cellphone policy

E-mail|Link May 14, 2009 06:43 PM

By Noah Bierman, Globe Staff

The union that represents MBTA subway, bus, and trolley operators filed a grievance today against the transit agency's stringent new cellphone policy, which forbids operators from even carrying phones into a vehicle while on duty.

The union sent a letter to the agency saying that the new policy, which would fire employees caught using a cellphone and suspend them 10 days for even carrying one aboard, demonstrates "a poverty of leadership."

Transportation Secretary James A. Aloisi Jr. fired off a sharp response, saying that the union was placing its members' personal convenience over public safety. "This threatened grievance is, given the facts and circumstances, unconscionable and proves how out of touch the union is with reality," he said.

MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas announced his intention to toughen the policy on Saturday, a day after dozens of people were injured in a Green Line accident in which, officials said, one trolley driver was texting on his cellphone.

Steve MacDougall, president of the Boston Carmen's Union president, enthusiastically endorsed the policy Saturday.

"I mean, we haven’t seen the final version, but with detailed conversations the general manager and I have been involved in, my understanding of the policy we anticipate to be released, the Carmen’s Union’s intent is -- and we think obligation to the public -- we think is to embrace this, and not just for public safety or political reasons, we think it’s the right thing to do," he said Saturday.

MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas said in a statement that he was "disappointed that the union has retreated from its initial strong support for a policy that I know will save lives."

Meanwhile, at the State House, a state lawmaker began soliciting support for a bill that would ban cellphone possession by T operators. "It is unacceptable for an operator of an MBTA vehicle to put passengers at risk as we saw this week. I find it infuriating that that the union would disagree," Representative Carl Sciortino, a vice chairman of the Transportation Committee, said in a statement.