NOTE: The ATU Local 689 shared the following press release:
FORESTVILLE, Md. – ATU Local 689 condemned the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority General Manager Randy Clarke for his despicable and callous decision to force bus operators to quote the bus fare at all passengers, including fare evaders, reversing a long-standing policy that has drastically reduced bus operator assaults. In place since 2017, the current policy is supported by data and has been reinforced by WMATA’s ‘Safety Risk Reduction Plan’ from last year. Fare disputes are one of the largest causes of operator assaults, something that WMATA routinely acknowledges. Once again, Randy Clarke disregards the facts and turns a blind eye to the safety risks and workers’ concerns.
Through the Joint Labor Management Safety Committee (JLMSC), the Union and WMATA have been partnering to develop specific action, including signage and pre-recorded messages to provide fare information. Instead of consulting with the Union through the JLMSC or meetings with leadership to discuss the possible policy change, WMATA under Randy Clarke has unilaterally imposed a policy that will immediately put bus operators and passengers in greater danger. Randy Clarke is even reversing his own publicly stated position…