August 27, 2005

To the editor,

  I must take offense to the article in your paper concerning Metro North Conductors and Engineers. I am a Conductor and member of the United Transportation Union here on Metro North. Your use or misuse of the Freedom of Information Act has led me to write to you concerning our respect and right to privacy.

  Many of our Conductors and Engineers are well educated and to assume that we are not just because of job qualifications shows a lack of respect due to us. As you mention lawyers in your article I will be pleased to inform you that we have conductors and engineers who are lawyers, CPA's and other white collar occupations that have made a career choice to be with the railroad.

  While the MTA raises the cost of commuting, do not cast the blame on the conductors and engineers of Metro North. We fund our retirement package with our contributions and have taken a zero percent raise in our current contract. Not to mention that we gave up an enormous amount of money from our former pension. To think that our overtime earnings affect what we take as a pension is also true that it affects what we contribute to it. If the 30% of the employees did not cover these jobs our trains could result in being understaffed, unsafe, and not on time. We are in a safety sensitive job. We must protect and transport an enormous amount of passengers every day of the week, every week of the year. Please give us our due respect. While the average public gets to enjoy Turkey and family on Thanksgiving, we are running our trains. Christmas and New Years along with other holidays are no exception. We knew this was the case when we hired on to Metro North. We have given up a lot for our earnings; don't make us feel like thieves.

  The fact that you publish names within your article as well as quotes from family that were not actually made attacks our respect and right to privacy. What was this article actually published for? What was the purpose? Was it necessary to point out and publish the names of some of my hardest working co-workers? With made up quotes and misleading information I hope not to have to view your publication as a tabloid junk journal.

          Sincerely,

          Timothy J. McDermott

          Conductor and interim President UTU Local 77