Bus Operator Speaks Truth to Power

Your Working Women’s Committee brought union power to the April monthly meeting of the MTA Board of Directors, demanding action for pregnant women who are being held without pay once they are in their final months. RTO crafted an agreement allowing for ten “light duty” spots for pregnant women, to be used in the last two months of their pregnancies, and also earlier if a doctor determines that the pregnancy is high risk. This isn’t the case for Buses, and the lawsuit seeks to remedy that.

Sister Teresa Rodriguez was one of three women who testified before the MTA Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, April 30th. Here is what she told the Commissioners in the two minutes she was given to speak.

"My name is Teresa Rodriguez. I’m here on behalf of reasonable accommodations for pregnant women. I am currently a bus operator out of Fresh Pond Depot. I’m currently eight months pregnant and one week along. I have been out of work now for two and a half months without pay, which has put me in a really bad situation. I’m asking for Transit to please fix what’s going on. It’s not just with me. It’s also my other female coworkers who are currently pregnant. There happens to be quite a few of us. We are all dealing with the same situation."

"I’m currently in the worst because I am new to transit. I don’t have days to put in. My FMLA has already been used up, unfortunately. So after I have my baby, I will have my maternity leave, and after that, I’m basically left to my own devices."

"My savings have been depleted. I’ve been struggling to pay my bills, feed myself, and even with my insurance, I still have co-payments which I’m currently behind on as well, for my doctor’s visits. I’m asking that Transit please, please find something for Bus Operators to do -- within or even outside of our depots. Anything will help. Aside from putting us out of work without pay. This is the worst thing that could possibly happen to anyone, especially expecting a child. Especially if you’re a single mother like I am. I ask please, please come up with something -- find something -- some way somehow. When there’s a will there’s a way."

"You know, we move the City. And when we come back from this, we’re going to continue to do that. But I would like to feel appreciated and acknowledged. Please find something to accommodate pregnant women, not just for me, but for my co-workers from now on and into the future."