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CTA operator fired following O’Hare station wreck
CTA should’ve know better not to put employees with more than 48-56 hours work on train operator per week.
The ability to launch the train over the platform also proves that is somebody was intent on causing a lot of damage, the lack of barriers and bumpers at the end of the track makes it easier.
I am 100. percent convinced that this person will be rehired at some point with back-pay and damages. Anybody want to bet against me?
Lots of employees ASK for the OT. Not all OT is mandatory…
No way, Bert - I’ve seen it happen too many times!
Bert…not me.
David…so have I…but you and Bert are prescient…CTA laid down the pavement of that road to reinstatement.
Look at the policy changes made to employee utilization.
Now ask youselves, “Selves, if the operator was working runs (assignments) which required more hours and days on duty than now are the limits for safe operation, and was at the time of the wreck, was there inevitability, and is the operator able to correctly perform under the new regulations?”
Tracy, your information sources messed with your mind, and since I’ve known both a man and a woman with your name, I understand your gender problem.
To wit: the operater has been identified with “she” not “he,” in news reports.
Then, what of the three sexes, M, TG or F are you?
No one needs to know, of course, least of all, me.
Aaron,
I retired working a pool freight job.
12 yrs ago.
12 hrs on duty was usual.
Rest was governed by the inbound arrival of dedicated outbound power…if it wasn’t where it was needed it to be…?
You slept, thje power was’t there 12 hrs after you rested the power got there.
Pool Freight engineers have assigned time off-duty which is scheduled…it’s called vacation, fought hard for…
Otherwise…well, UP complained that:
Instead of 97% availability, the UP set standard, which included every other moment of the non-vacation period, I was available only 85% of the time.
Every moment of the other than non-vacation!..97% availability? That was what UP wanted, he said, the boss RFE, Mgr of Operating Practices.
There’s a lot here…hours of service…lay-offs–I’m sick…lay me off…can’t do it,… talk to an officer/"
To Tracy…HE was a SHE.
They acknowledged overworking her then fired her for falling asleep? Seems like BS to me. A person can’t help it if they’re exhausted and doze off. It happens to everyone sometimes. Most people are just lucky enough that it happens on the couch or something like that.
I think it’s too easy and convenient to blame the operator, CTA needs to explain its fatigue and roster management.
The ability to launch the train over the platform proves that these are major forces that are being dealt with here. That is all. It in no way proves intent. Well, it also proves that you have to have respect for the equipment and a grasp of the seriousness of your responsibility as an operator. This, I have noticed is seriously lacking in a majority of new hires who are more focussed on candy crush, Kardashians and partying than doing their job perfect. There are not do-overs or extra lives in this industry.
Hell, let’s hope not. He screwed up big time!!!
Francis,
I understand your point of governed. I’m not a railroader but always want to become one. Hours are the most problems with any employees. Safety doesn’t come with only ear. It come with big eye ball to look out. I’m deaf. I worked 36 / 48 hours shifts fast running web press printing ( pretty dangerous job ) .
She was driving the train. She took the pay check. She was responsible. This all sound like my dog ate my homework and my little brother made me do it.
Fatigue is an issue. Railroads are working to address. CTA management did have some fault in the accident. But as stated some employees demand, and threaten action if OT is curtailed or reduced. If you are driving your own vehicle, and “Doze Off”, and collide with another vehicle and cause injuries who is held responsible ? Now as to the dismissal, did the employee (she) attend her investigation that was scheduled by the CTA ? At the investigation the employee could have union representation, and the opportunity to bring out all facts from the employee’s side. As to dozing off, did the employee request relief, or say that (she) was too tired to continue to work safely ? I doubt it, as no supervisor or manager would order some employee to work if they said they were too tired to work safely. The manager would have taken some action to change to operation immediately. But if the employee (she) did not attend the investigation as provided by her Union Contract, they she elected to be fired. CTA reacted, and may have to pay time off and back pay. But address the issue what caused the accident ?