Cut It Out?

As Rail Car Repairers, we are often asked to do unsafe tasks by imbecile CTA mismanagers. A common complaint I get is about "cutting out trains." 

 

For those unfamiliar with it, that is when we open the Main Knife Switch under a rail car and throw it so the train won't possibly move on its own due to malfunction. This is supposed to be done in the Shops and "horsed" by a functional train operated by a Switchman. It is dangerous and you should never do it. It is justified by CTA mismanagement from a freak accident in 2013 known as the Ghost Train (see the full NTSB brief about it here).

 

If a mismanager orders you to “cut out” a train in the yard, tell him to request Power Control to de-energize the yard first. 

If the mismanager refuses your request—which he/she will likely do—tell him “That is unsafe” and politely request another assignment. Although you may be tempted to do so, avoid raising your voice and using swear words. Have a coworker as a witness when you confront the mismanager about it.

You know the Truth: Never reach over third rail under a train on energized third rail! This includes touching parts of the train that are powered by third rail or a shop stinger. 

 

Not only are you gambling with your life to help the CTA save money on budgeting for more Switchmen, but you are risking electrocution—a violation of CTA Safety Rule 111(g):

 

Do not allow any part of the body, any article of clothing or tools to contact the third rail or trolley blocks of rapid transit cars. Any contact to the third rail must be reported to the Control Center immediately.

If a mismanager makes such a request, notify a trusted union official or myself immediately. In fact, tell them you will call me. I can curse out the mismanager on your behalf. If I am awake and off duty, I will go to the Shop myself and put an end to it. I might even livestream it and set up a protest. 

 

That might make them accommodate you faster. 

 

Maybe the mismanager will do it themself and we will be one less mismanager short at the CTA. If he doesn't kill himself being an idiot, I can help you write him up for violating 111(g). That includes  General Rule Book 7(a):

Obedience to rules - 

(a) All rules, orders, bulletins and instructions must be obeyed.

Also, the following CTA Rules are even more specific regarding "cutting out" cars. See Bulletin RMGB 1-13A and Transit Operations Standard Operating Procedure 8248 (04-30-17). Just these two Rules alone will shut a macho man mismanager up real fast. If they still insist, then call the Control Center to report reasonable suspicion intoxication.

 

The bastards like to write us up for momentarily dozing off after we finish our work. So we can write them up for reaching under rail cars over live third rail. It is time that we hold the CTA accountable for abusing our safety. As your Local 308 Executive Board Member, it's my job to help you do it. 

 

Do you agree with what I wrote? Please share your thoughts with me in the comments.

By the way, did you know that our uncovered third rail is an unnecessary hazard and there is time-tested solution to making it less deadly? Read this article about how the CTA can cover the third rail.