WMATA ignored union’s safety recommendations
Re: “Safety board to bring in oversight groups for Metro hearings,” Nov. 17
ATU Local 689 has proffered recommendations that would promote transparent and cost-effective operations without compromising rider or worker safety. Specifically, we have recommended that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority identify one specific stop location on platforms for all trains and have always maintained that capital funds be used for operations as well as to replace aging or malfunctioning equipment. Our recommendations have largely fallen on deaf ears.
We urge that new federal safety policies include a restructuring of the governing body charged with overseeing WMATA to ensure that the authority is adequately funded, highly functional, and responsive to enforceable oversight in the interest of safety for workers and the riding public.
Jackie Jeter
President
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689
Fatherless families create violent thug culture
Re: “Killing of 9-year-old provokes outrage,” Nov. 16
In placing blame for the murder of 9-year-old Oscar Fuentes on the gang-associated shooter, let’s not forget the culture of father deprivation that likely influenced him wherever he grew up.
The Fenty administration continues to be dismissive of the need to hold the intact, functional family as an ideal in any society. Most of our violent homegrown criminals grew up father-deprived, and plenty of them are white.
Only when voters start electing politicians prepared to promote and defend the family will D.C. become the kind of city it should be.
Sharon Kass
Silver Spring
Cruise ship passengers less likely to catch norovirus
Re: “Sick to your stomach? What’s really wrong,” Nov. 15
I was disappointed to see norovirus dubbed the “cruise ship flu” by Drs. Mehment Oz and Mike Roizen. It is important that your readers know that norovirus is extremely uncommon on cruise ships. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the overwhelming majority of norovirus outbreaks take place at land-based locations such as schools, day care centers, hospitals and nursing homes.
Passenger health is a top priority to our cruise lines. Our fleet follows strict sanitation regulations, including those established and inspected by the CDC. Every cruise ship is subject to regular, unannounced inspections by the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program. In 2008, CLIA ships received an average CDC sanitation score of just above 97, surpassing the minimum inspection score of 85.
Terry Dale
President and Chief Executive Officer
Cruise Lines International Association
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
