In a letter to Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell, the president of the local transit union urged the governor to release $50 million in matching funds for Metro that are needed to collect a $150 million federal grant. The grant and funds would be used to make safety improvements to Metro, including replacing 1000-series railcars. The union president disagreed with withholding the funds, saying it would not improve safety and would go against the memory of nine people who died in a Metro accident a year ago, including a train operator. The president also disagreed that adding oversight positions from Virginia would increase accountability over funding and safety.

1. For Immediate Release Contact: Ryan Duncan
June 23, 2010
(202) 833-9771, Office
(202) 617-1358, Mobile
Local Transit Union President Urges Gov. McDonnell to Release
Virginia’s Matching Funds for Metro
Jackie Jeter says $50 million needed to collect federal grant and improve safety
In a letter to Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell dated June 22, ATU Local 689
President Jackie L. Jeter called on the Commonwealth’s top official to drop his threat to
withhold funding from Metro. Following is an excerpt from Jeter’s missive:
While I share your concerns about safety and accountability at the Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), I respectfully disagree with your stance
that withholding Virginia’s pledged $50 million in matching funds for a $150 million
federal grant will improve either. The grant is specifically slated to make improvements
in WMATA safety, including replacement of the 1000 series railcars.
Today is the anniversary of the worst accident in WMATA history that claimed the lives
of nine people, including train operator Jeanice McMillan, and injured 76 others. In
addition, a number of workers that our union represents have been killed in recent
years on the job, including Matthew Brooks, Leslie Cherry, Keith Dodson, Jeffrey
Garrard, Jong Lee, John Moore, Michael Nash, Sung Oh and Michael Waldron. I do
not believe their memory will be served by holding safety improvements hostage as has
been alleged in the press.
I also want to disagree with the assertion by Secretary of Transportation Sean
Connaughton that adding “one Principal Director and one Alternate Director [selected
by Virginia Department of Rail and Transportation] will give the Commonwealth greater
accountability for its financial contributions and safety oversight responsibilities…”
A complete copy of the letter from Pres. Jeter to Gov. McDonnell is attached.
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