An interesting (and unfortunate) article…
An interesting (and unfortunate) article on the response of the engineers’ union, BLET, to Metrolink’s placement of surveillance cameras in the engine cabs. The link to the Simi Valley Acorn article is here:
Below is a letter I sent in to the editor of the Acorn, with my opinions.
I was riding in the first car on Metrolink 113, just minutes beind train 111. I am the founder of LAPassenger.com, the largest online community of Metrolink passengers. It is discouraging that The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has taken actions to remove video surveillance systems from Metrolink trains.
First, the BLET’s own mission statement says the BLET “exists to promote and protect the rights, interests, and safety of its members”. Why not support video taping to protect the safety of your engineers and conductors? If your members deserve safety, why not the passengers?
The BLET says that video surveillance would not stop an engineer from using a cell phone. It would allow this prohibited behavior to be observed, reported, and corrected. It allows the many responsible train crews to be rewarded for their continued focus on safe practices, while highlighting those operators who may put themselves and passengers at risk.
The BLET stated that cell phone signal jammers would be a more effective prevention against engineers who text message and use cell phones, but I did not see a timeline or BLET plan to get jammers installed. I hope that their members are taking swift action to help get these jammers installed in the interst of safety, A combined safety system of video surveillance and cell phone jammers would be the most effective.
The BLET mission statement boasts of “solidarity”. The Metrolink Board led by Councilmember Millhouse should be commended for their solidarity in a mission of protecting passengers. Even as high unemployment levels lowered Metrolink’s revenue, they got the camera’s installed. As requests for more safety funding linger, and debates over video surveillance drag on, what is important is being accomplished one step at a time…Metrolink passenger safety has improved with video surveillance.
Walter 10:02 PM on 05/25/2010 Permalink |
Maybe you can write about the fare increase policy. Some ticket prices are going up over 30%. I ran into a buddy of mine on the Redline, he can no longer afford Metrolink.