Earlier today, Jackie L. Jeter, President of ATU Local 689, gave testimony at the Congressional Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing Friday morning where she reminded congress that transit workers have been calling for Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to create and enforce a safety culture since the fatal Red Line accident of 2009.
See President Jeter's Testimony below
See President Jeter's Testimony below
“Five years ago, after the tragic June 2009 Red Line accident, Local 689 testified in support of retraining plans, routine re-certification and equipment upgrades,” Jeter says. “While we commend the improvements made since the 2009 accident, we must point out that WMATA has not met the necessary task of developing a safety culture.”
In Jeter’s testimony, she outlined three main areas of safety the union wants addressed. Those priorities include 1) investing in training for the entire workforce and continuous re-training, 2) changing the perception of retaliation by workforce for making reports on unsafe conditions, and 3) holding management to the same standards of education and preparation as employees.