Metro News Release
For immediate release: July 29, 2009
Metro conducting comprehensive review of employee disciplinary actions
Stricter rules meant to ensure employees follow rules, standard operating procedures
Metro is conducting a comprehensive review of its disciplinary procedures for employees and plans to stiffen penalties in the coming weeks to ensure that employees follow Metro rules and standard operating procedures.
“Metro has more than 10,000 employees, and the vast majority of them do their job well,” said Metro General Manager John Catoe. “Bad behavior on the part of just a few individuals reflects on the entire Metro workforce. Our new approach to procedures and penalties will deter bad behavior and reduce the damage a few people can cause to our relationship with riders.”
On Monday, July 13, Metro instituted a zero tolerance policy on operator use of cell phones and texting devices. Metrobus and Metrorail operators caught using a cell phone, texting or using a PDA while operating a vehicle will be fired under the new policy.
Earlier this month, a Metrobus and Metrorail operator were disciplined for violating Metro procedures while operating a Metro vehicle. The Metrobus operator was given a written reprimand for reading while operating a bus, and the Metrorail operator was suspended for 12 days without pay after it appeared he might have been asleep while operating a train.
“These are serious safety violations, and the punishment must reflect the offense,” said Catoe. “I am sending a clear message to employees and customers. I expect employees who are operating Metro vehicles to be fully engaged and aware that they are responsible for the safety of each customer on board their vehicle. Customers have a right to expect safe travel and attentive employees on our systems.”
In the Metrobus and Metrorail incidents, both employees were penalized based on a progressive level of discipline. The current progression of discipline for Metrobus operators who read while on the job is a reprimand on the first offense, three-day suspension without pay on the second offense, indefinite suspension without pay on the third offense and termination on the fourth offense. For Metrorail operators caught sleeping, the progression of discipline is 12 days of suspension without pay for the first offense, 22 days of suspension without pay for the second offense and termination for the third offense.
In the most recent incident, a Metrobus operator refused to allow a customer to exit the bus after a verbal dispute. He was arrested by Metro Transit Police on Saturday, July 25, and charged with kidnapping. The bus operator is on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of an investigation. Metro officials will determine an appropriate level of discipline once the investigation is complete.
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Media contact for this news release: Angela Gates or Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.
For all other inquiries, please call customer service at 202-637-7000.
News release issued at 1:53 pm, July 29, 2009.