I didn't see this coming a mile away.....

MBTA union files grievance over tough new cellphone policy

From article: The union that represents MBTA subway, bus, and trolley operators filed a grievance today against the transit agency's stringent new cellphone policy, which forbids operators from even carrying phones into a vehicle while on duty.
The union sent a letter to the agency saying that the new policy, which would fire employees caught using a cellphone and suspend them 10 days for even carrying one aboard, demonstrates "a poverty of leadership."

Poverty of leadership? Poverty of leadership!!! If there is any poverty of leadership it is the MBTA not making this policy a year ago when the first train collision occurred because of someone on the phone. No, they waited for it to happen again.

Talk about calling the kettle black. A poverty of leadership.... man... Any organization that would fight for such a trivial luxury that is proven to endanger lives is down right despicable. The MBTA is an incompetent organization, and the source of this incompetence is largely because these union members are untouchable. There can be laziness and total disregard for the job at hand and because the Unions will fight for everyone in court, short of that person nearly killing someone or blatantly stealing... the MBTA's hands are tied. This is why mass transit can't turn a profit, it is why trains are constantly late, it is why the employees are frequently rude and crude, and it is why this atrocity happened not once, but twice. People have NO responsibility, and no decency. They are selfish, foolish, entitled people who think that society owes them a decent life.

Politicians should legislate this, because the Unions will probably win this battle, and then it will just happen again. But you know what? They won't legislate it, BECAUSE most politicians in Massachusetts are Democrats, and Democrats are in bed with the Unions. Besides if the Unions actually lose, I can see the ACLU taking this up soon after.

There was a time when people might actually have the common sense not to put a couple hundred lives at stake so they could write a note to their significant other (which they'll probably see in an hour or two anyway). I bet you ANYTHING that dip sh*t who did this tried coming up with reasons why they weren't to blame.

Labor Unions in this regulated day & age are unnecessary. Making this particular union even more ridiculous is the fact that they are GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES. Having a union in the government is a conflict of interest, especially since Unions are biased political organizations. Employees of the government should be looked out for by the people, and NO organization should trump our power as voters to control the services that our tax money provides.

Unfortunately the tide is shifting and if the left has their way, Unions will expand into unprecedented areas of employment..... Because apparently the stimulus package and government spending aren't going to cause inflation to rise fast enough with out a bit of extra help.