Jackie JeterThe president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, Jackie Jeter, offered this reaction to John Catoe’s resignation.
“It is with some measure of trepidation that I look to the future of Metro’s management. With the sudden announcement that John Catoe will be leaving his position in four months, my concerns center on my membership and the riding public. Catoe’s imminent departure will only exacerbate the state of flux affecting those working to provide mass transportation to the Washington, DC metropolitan area and the customers who rely on Metro.
Within the last month, there has been a total turnover of top Metro management; and while some believe there is reason to celebrate, I want to know where this leaves the many employees and the riding public? As a lame duck general manager, John Catoe is not likely to be able to provide either direction or oversight and in a system with so many issues, I fear that things will spiral out of control and the proposed corrective measures, the nascent committees and the plans for fiscal solvency will be frustrated or nullified. Who is left to decide and oversee those decisions that must be made to help ensure a safe, productive mass transit system?
Are we bidding John Catoe farewell with our hands tied behind our backs? I can say only this – Local 689 continues to work in the same spirit that it always has. We will MAKE IT WORK.”
