A bunch of feminine MBTA staff who alleged office harassment, discrimination and unfair remedy had a “productive” assembly with the T’s normal supervisor, however are apprehensive that his resignation will put an finish to that progress.
The ladies, who work within the T’s Engineering and Maintenance Track Department, met with General Manager Steve Poftak on Monday to debate ongoing points that they are saying haven’t been addressed by the company’s Office of Diversity and Civil Rights, or worse, have resulted in retaliation.
“I think it was productive,” mentioned Craig Dias, a former director of worker initiatives on the MBTA who helps the ladies. “He really seemed that he cared and he wanted to get down to the bottom of things.”
MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo confirmed that the assembly happened, saying that “it was productive and informative,” however declined to touch upon specifics.
Dias mentioned the T dedicated to conducting extra variety coaching for harassment and dignity within the office and beefing up staffing within the variety and civil rights workplace, and employed a third-party authorized consultant to “work on these issues right away.”
He mentioned Poftak wouldn’t decide to, however indicated he would take into consideration, Dias’ request to carry a roundtable dialogue with MBTA frontline staff and the Federal Transit Administration, which is investigating the matter.
“My only concern is, with the change in administration, how long is he going to be there?” Dias mentioned, referring to Poftak, who resigned as GM a day after the assembly. “If he gets the ball rolling, is the next person going to step up and do what they need to do?”
He added, “I hope Steve lives up to his promise to protect these women.”
The group requested a gathering with Poftak in September, shortly after reporting the complaints to the FTA, first by electronic mail in July after which through teleconference on Sept. 12 and 19.
The ladies mentioned they’ve been accused of performing sexual favors for promotions, verbally berated by a supervisor in entrance of coworkers, spat upon and handled with indifference after reporting complaints. The ladies additional say they’ve been suspended, focused by harassment, and handed over for promotions, in keeping with their preliminary communication with the FTA in July.
FTA Administrator Peter Butler mentioned in a September electronic mail shared with the Herald that the matter was being investigated by the FTA’s civil rights crew, however a spokesperson mentioned Tuesday that no official criticism had been obtained.
The ladies, of their letter to Poftak, mentioned it appeared that the T was in non-compliance with federally regulated equal employment alternative insurance policies.
“FTA’s civil rights staff has met with the concerned women of MBTA, listened to them and provided information on the equal employment opportunity responsibilities of transit agencies,” an FTA spokesperson mentioned.
“They are aware of options for filing a complaint with FTA, MBTA and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.”
Dias mentioned the MBTA plans to supply an replace to the ladies in 30 days, throughout one other assembly with the overall supervisor.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”