Management responds to workers request for increased safety in the workplace.

Workers safety has never been one of the primary concerns of the Transit Authority. Ed Kehoe, the Safety Committee chairman and founder has been struggling to change that by addressing the safety violations to the Attention of the TA. In an unprecedented display of the abuse of power. The TA has chosen to "KILL THE MESSENGER".

Mr. Kehoe, injured on the job due to a flagrant disregard by the transit Authority to correct a well documented safety hazard, and after what can only be described as subjection to the cruel and unusual treatment of the TA medical department, was sent to work in a restricted duty job at the Transit Authority Signal Shop. He was amazed to find employees on their way to work, forced to walk in the street, while the department of Sanitation parked its trucks on their sidewalk . Believing that such a flagrant disregard for the safety of the public could be easily rectified, he set out to do so. What he uncovered was a well embedded, systematic form of safety violations that set an all time low in Corporate skullduggery. In spite of pleas and protests to every known state and city agency, Assemblymen, The office of the Mayor and the Attorney General, the deplorable conditions remained unabated. Likewise, the unabated flow of letters of protest emanating from the Safety Committee, little by little forced the garbage trucks from the sidewalks, back into the garages specifically built to house them. Once having reclaimed the sidewalks it would seem the rest would be easy; no way! Apparently, the now vacant sidewalks became an open invitation for the Sanitation departments private cars, but then, that’s another story. The sidewalks now cleared of all obstacles, a request for the TA to repair the tripping hazards. Management brings in the department of infrastructure, the dangerous conditions are affirmed, repairs are scheduled to begin on April, 15, 1994. Commencement date comes and goes, Infrastructure under new management.........nobody knows anything. When asked about it at an assembly meeting, Mr. Goodlatte, Chief Electrical Engineer, undisputed head of the Electrical Department refers to Mr. Kehoe as "a thorn in my side". Undeniably better than being called a pain in the ass, nevertheless, unprofessional, and most certainly, uncomplimentary. After exhausting all available remedies, including a direct appeal via certified mail to the President of the TA, Mr. Kiepper,..... DOSH was summoned.

Dosh, or, the Division of Safety and Health, of the Department of Labor issued a "Notice of Violation and Order to Comply". On the same day the TA received the notice, Mr. Kehoe received his notice. He will now be sent to occupy an undesirable position, working nights, adding three hours traveling time to his workday. The TA will not stand for interference. They believe that by sending Mr. Kehoe to an obscure, undesirable workplace, the safety issues will come to an end. The union, already severely reprimanded by Kehoe for it’s complicity in this outrage, is quite content to have the upstart removed. This is being done in spite of job related injuries that are known to cause severe pain under stress, Kehoe of course, will be subjected to another TA medical, can anybody guess what will happen? The department of labor states it is illegal to retaliate. A four page letter of such a complaint has already been sent. The Americans with disabilities Act states "Reassignment may not be used to limit, segregate, or otherwise discriminate against employees with disabilities by forcing reassignments to undesirable positions or to designated offices or facilities". Any place the Union feels they can no longer participate in this crucifixion, they can jump right in, I have already done most of the ground work. Is Kehoe ready to quit? "IF THEY SEND ME TO HELL, I’LL HAVE MY LETTERS OF PROTEST HAND DELIVERED BY THE DEVIL". Volume #2, to be printed shortly, will address my submitted suggestions on purchasing. The prices we’re paying will floor you.