Metro workers are rallying Saturday at noon over funding and safety issues. Led by ATU Local 689, other unions as well as political and community allies are expected to turn out to support demands for dedicated funding for Metro to ensure long-term maintenance, upkeep, and expansion and make Metro safe for riders and workers. “No one knows the system better than our members, who are the front line workers of the system,” says Jackie Jeter, president of Local 689. Among those speaking tomorrow are Dion Baker, a Metro Train Operator who will talk about the faulty and outdated radio equipment he's forced to use, and DC Circulator Bus Operator “Tiny” Burke who has witnessed dangerous cost cutting while the outsourced company he works for makes a profit. Also in attendance will be policy makers including Metro General Manager Paul Weidefeld, WMATA Board Chair Jack Evans, and Chairman of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Roger Berliner. The rally will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation at 213 East Capitol Street Northeast.
