"At least I have weapons of self-defense," he said gravely. "You have nothing but your wits to protect yourself."
We live in an extremely dangerous time. People are more likely now to assault a transit worker more than ever before. In Portland, we've had 60 incidents in which a transit operator was assaulted or menaced, and there are still four months left this year. In 2016, we suffered 55 violent incidents while doing our job, yet the agency stubbornly insists "crime on the system is down." I'm sorry, but crimes against transit workers are increasing. At this rate, the number of assaults by the end of the year could be 84, a 35% increase. I wouldn't say this is a downward trend.
Here's a look at what Portland transit management calls "down:"
2014: 28 assaults
2015: 41
2016: 55
2017 (as of 9/6): 60
Does that appear to be a downward trend to you? I'm not the best statistician, but I believe the figures demonstrate an enormous increase, having more than doubled in three years. More disturbing is the silence from local media on the subject. Car wreck, armed wacko shoots someone, and they're all over it. Someone is injured at a protest, and it's national news. It takes an operator being murdered (Awakened Sleeper Kills Winnipeg Bus Operator) for the world to take notice to our collective plight.
I've challenged Portland media to report on this alarming trend of local operators being assaulted, but so far... crickets. Must one of us DIE before it becomes "news" in their minds? It happened in Winnipeg, as we lost our brother, Mr. Irvine Jubal Fraser earlier this year.
Two of my union brothers took matters into their own hands this year by imploring the Oregon Legislature to pass a bill (SB 2717) which stiffens penalties for those who assault transit operators. They advocated for it to be a felony for any transit worker to be assaulted at any time, instead of drivers "in control of or operating a transit vehicle." It is imperative to note that operators are not the only transit workers at risk of an increasingly-emboldened criminal element. Mechanics, supervisors, rail maintenance workers and operators simply waiting to relieve another driver are subject to public abuse and attacks.
The Oregon Legislature adjourned in July without passing SB2717 A, which makes it a felony for those convicted of assault upon a transit employee "while acting within scope of employment." It doesn't seem to have changed the conditions for prosecuting this as a more serious crime, "while the operator is in control of or operating the vehicle." Both our union and transit agency seem transfixed upon doing little or nothing to solidify our safety. Whenever in uniform, we should feel secure our agency protects our safety while also assuring we have every right to defend ourselves. Right now, we feel betrayed by management, as evidenced by suspensions meted out to those who refused to meekly allow their assailants free reign. If somebody punches me, you can't expect me to apologize for insisting they adhere to transit code. I'm certainly not going to coddle them or offer the other cheek for them to vandalize. I'm going to fight back, because that's the biological response when your life is threatened. When you realize that one well-placed punch can cause irreparable damage (or sudden death) to a human body, how can management expect us to defy the "fight or flight syndrome," the reflexive biological response? They suspend us for "violating violence in the workplace" rules. It's time to level the playing field by acknowledging our right to self-defense.
From the time I leave my home, dressed in our transit agency's required uniform, I consider myself "acting within scope of employment." Anyone can, and will, come up to me and ask all sorts of questions regarding our system. If I cannot answer what time Bus A will arrive at Point 122 on that route, I am verbally assaulted and sometimes harassed. It's impossible to keep track of every route's estimated arrival times. We don't have radio contact with every bus in the system, nor do we know which of 750+ buses are anywhere near our location at any given moment. We're expected to, however, by a public that is largely ignorant because the transit agency fails to employ proper educational techniques.
City governments are guilty of failing to protect us as well. We're subject to hundreds, perhaps thousands, of road rage incidents every day. Police departments fail to cite motorists for failure to yield, and officers are commonly guilty of this offense. When any motorists sees a cop roll past our flashing yield light, they follow that example. As a result, we needlessly await some good soul to allow us to merge. Many operators simply roll after a few cars pass and are treated to the one-fingered IQ salute, blaring horn, and often menacing behaviors. We're often complained about to our "Customer Service Department" with people calling in saying we cut them off. I've had a few people falsely say I flipped them the bird they so liberally fly our way. How many of these false complaints reach us is testament to the demoralizing disrespect management displays towards us.
Our job is to safely transport passengers. We're called on the carpet these days if we are late, even though traffic steadily worsens each year. Things happen on the road. They multiply and complicate matters. Passengers are more concerned with their phone than being ready to board; if several people take extra time producing fare, it exponentially reduces our On Time Performance. Traffic accidents, congestion, construction, mothers who take extra time to remove their babies from strollers before we feel comfortable to safely roll again, bicyclists who exit the rear door only to jump in front of our buses to offload their wheels as we're ready to roll, and many other matters add time to our already-tight schedules. When we're late and go to Drop Off Only mode, people waiting at stops are abusive when we discharge passengers but refuse to allow them to board even as our follower is rolling up behind us. It's utter chaos and madness, and we're getting madder.
Anyone who has operated in service understands these standard transit realities. Unfortunately, management either does not fathom frontline reality or simply refuses to care. This may seem a bit strong, but when you consider they've transformed from a "Safety First" to a "Schedule First" attitude, I'm only echoing what my brothers and sisters believe contributes to an already-stressful occupation. It becomes inherently more difficult to remain courteous to the public when your management is part of the problem instead of providing a supportive role.
It's imperative we agree as a group to refuse being bullied. I hope it doesn't happen again, but we can expect more assaults to occur before 2017 mercifully ends. It's been a year of heavy rain and snow, followed by intense heat, forest fire smoke and ash, light rail murder, and those dastardly 60 assaults. We've still managed to persevere and provide excellent service to our fellow Portlanders. Each step of the way, we've felt distanced from management. Why is it so difficult for them to recognize our plight and take steps to ease our collective pain?
When we're supported and encouraged, we feel secure and appreciated. When we're happy, we excel. If you don't do everything possible to show your workforce it's valued, don't expect perfection. This isn't a manufacturing business, it's public transportation. Corporatists who have never donned our uniform aren't equipped to make it better. Creating spreadsheets is a far cry from skillfully maneuvering a 20-ton vehicle.
Major conflicts are often resolved when the oppressed stand up fight back against their aggressors. They can also be relieved when there is greater understanding between the two factions.
My suggestions for all to consider include the agency adopting The Beasley Doctrine. It basically lays out steps for operators to begin healing immediately after an assault or case of menacing. No operator should have to worry about time loss or missing pay while recovering from a severe shock to their body. While there is an increased presence of security on light rail, buses remain a hotbed of misbehavior. Trouble makers are becoming more brazen, fare evaders don't fear consequences and also have less respect for agency code.
In an attempt to reduce operator assaults, the agency earlier this year changed fare policy. Unfortunately, assaults continue to rise. Perhaps some six-figure management positions could be sacrificed for a fully-staffed fare inspection team. Some argue that transit should be free, but I disagree. If a passenger isn't invested in the ride, they won't respect it or anyone within the vehicle.
Local groups in favor of less police presence on transit seem more concerned with a perceived bias toward certain ethnic groups than they are with operator safety. It's not ethnicity we fear; assailants come in all shapes, sizes and colors. We shouldn't have to wonder, when leaving home on our way to work, if we'll return at the end of the day. I doubt if this thought ever crosses the mind of someone in upper management as they roll into their cubicles each morning. It's always on our minds.
Safe travels brothers and sisters. Keep all six on the road, and be good to each other. We're evidently all you've got standing with you.
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