ATU calls for criminal investigation into track worker deaths
Washington, DC – The Cal/OSHA fine issued to BART for safety violations in the tragic death of two track workers during the October 2013 strike is a fine on riders while the senior managers responsible get off scot-free, says the Amalgamated Transit Union International (ATU). The Union is calling for a criminal investigation into actions of BART senior officials related to the deaths of these two individuals.
The workers were inspecting track when they were struck and killed by a train that was allegedly being operated in automatic mode by an inexperienced manager who was training non-union replacement drivers.
“First these senior managers provoked an unnecessary strike, then they attempted to break the strike using these barbaric tactics that put the lives of these two track workers at risk and the results were tragic,” charges Larry Hanley, ATU international president. “This could be a criminal act. We call for an appropriate investigation to hold BART executives responsible for their reckless decisions.”
The Union says by failing to ensure the safety of its employees, BART displayed the new “disposable worker” attitude that has become commonplace as many corporations and legislators work together to take away the rights and benefits of working Americans.
“Two men were killed doing their job, but those responsible for the decisions that lead to their tragic deaths got off scot-free,” says Hanley. “This is comparable to a transit worker running a red light and the agency being ticketed and having to pay. The fine on BART is a fine on riders, who rely on BART every day, who see that money taken from the budget to run the system.
“It’s no different than what happened in the banking industry when executives made decisions that led to the financial and mortgage collapse, sending our economy into a tailspin and devastating the lives of working Americans. Yet not one bank executive went to jail or was even charged.
“Our nation has become a nation of two classes – the small cadre of executives and super rich who live by one set of rules and the rest of us disposable workers – easily replaceable employees who can be made the scapegoats,” Hanley said.