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Letter tries to reassure MBTA workers after Grabauskas departure

E-mail|Link|Comments () August 12, 2009 06:04 PM

By Globe Staff

The state transportation secretary and the acting general manager of the MBTA have sent a letter to the agency's workers, trying to calm any sense of uncertainty the workers might feel in the wake of the resignation of former General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas.

"Day in and day out, the dedicated men and women of the MBTA are doing everything it takes to safely transport hundreds of thousands of commuters who depend on public transportation to get them to work, home, and other destinations. Whether it's a bus operator driving through rain and fog or a signal maintainer clearing snow and ice from a frozen switch, MBTA employees do their jobs, and they do them well," the letter said.

The letter, signed by Transportation Secretary James A. Aloisi Jr., who is also chairman of the T Board, and acting General Manager William A Mitchell Jr., said the T leaders felt that the "backbone of the authority has always been, and always will be, our workforce" and it promised an "atmosphere of fairness and equal opportunity."

The letter noted that the state's transportation system is being overhauled due to recent legislation, but, it said, "With change comes new opportunities for growth and learning at a transit system that got its start more than a century ago."

"I look forward to working with you to ensure that this new era exceeds the expectations of the Governor, the Legislature, T riders, and the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," the letter said.

Grabauskas, a Republican holdover, resigned under pressure from the administration of Democratic Governor Deval Patrick last week. Controversy over the resignation has persisted this week, with Republicans calling Tuesday for Aloisi's resignation, and state Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill criticizing Grabauskas's buyout package.