Letters from NYC transit workers

MTA guilty of racist, sexist abuse

I’m a former MTA conductor from the A-division IRT line.

The management of MTA was exceedingly verbally abusive. Racist, not to mention sexist. I’m available to testify at the Supreme Court as a witness if they need me.

They illegally terminated a number of Black females for wearing braids and dred locks. And I too was falsely terminated for “a crooked tie.” “Failure to adhere to uniform regulations.” Wow! Meanwhile a supervisor was allowed to curse at me: “Here’s your f’n radio” and “Hurry up and get on the f’n train.” I cried a lot while employed with the MTA, too scared to quit and go back to welfare, so I stayed and tolerated it.

MS. YOLANDA ALLISON
New York

Wants to fight Taylor Law

I am a New York City Transit bus driver. As per the recent strike, I am interested in campaigning to repeal the unfair Taylor Law. I would like some suggestions and/or help in how to proceed and who to write to as far as politicians or through a labor organization. I have a lady who writes for the New York Times that I am working with and I think we can put our efforts in the paper to get more publicity and hopefully get lots of labor and political support to repeal the law and give power back to the unions.

D. WEISS
New York