By 08/03/2011 21:38:00
BOSTON - Arbitrators have forced the MBTA to rehire several employees who were fired for reasons including drug use and child rape.
The Boston Herald reports that the seven employees the T has rehired out of 22 arbitration cases since 2009 all had their dismissals overturned on technicalities.
Among them, a subway operator who tested positive for cocaine after being caught dozing behind the controls and was awarded her job back by an arbitrator who said the T violated her right to privacy by ordering a drug test.
In another case, a bus driver fired over his 1987 child rape conviction got his job back when the arbitrator ruled that the MBTA knew about his record when he was hired in 2000 and before a 2004 rule change banned convicted sex offenders.
Statement from the MBTA:
The conduct and behavior of our employees is of paramount interest at the MBTA, and that's why disciplinary action is taken when necessary or warranted. As stipulated in collective bargaining agreements, disciplined employees are entitled to avail themselves of an appeals process. While the disciplinary action is often upheld, there are some instances in which an independent arbitrator does not agree with the MBTA's position. The MBTA may disagree with a dissenting opinion, but it still must accept it. While perhaps not perfect, the process is in place to ensure that all parties are given the opportunity to present their arguments to an impartial and unbiased arbitrator.
Showing posts with label convicted sex offender. Show all posts
Showing posts with label convicted sex offender. Show all posts
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
PLYMOUTH: Charges vs. court officer dropped despite sex offender record
Hired despite sex offender record in S. Carolina
Updated: Tuesday, 12 Jul 2011, 9:30 AM EDT
Published : Monday, 11 Jul 2011, 6:56 PM EDT
Mike Beaudet; FOX Undercover
BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - A court officer charged with rape had the case against him dismissed after the alleged victim refused to testify, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office said.
A judge dismissed the charges against Charles Tatum, Jr. Monday as his trial was set to begin.
Tatum worked as a court officer until his arrest last year. His attorney did not return a phone call seeking comment.
But as FOX Undercover discovered, it’s not Tatum’s first brush with the law.
He’s already a convicted sex offender whose record from South Carolina didn't stop the Massachusetts courts from hiring him in 2001.
He passed a background check before he was hired, but that check only looked at Massachusetts court appearances.
As FOX Undercover’s Mike Beaudet reported on Sunday, Massachusetts is one of the few states that hasn't passed legislation that would allow national criminal background checks on many employees.
“It’s outrageous,” said Laurie Myers, a victims advocate. “We have to get our act together in this state. We have to decide what’s important and we need to act on it. That’s it. We can't always be the last state to do something. Especially when it comes to public safety.”
“What’s it going to take for Massachusetts to start doing national background checks?” asked Beaudet.
“In my experience, probably a murder or some high profile case that forces them to do it,” Myers said.
Related Stories
http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/undercover/background-check-loophole-exposed-20110710 http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/undercover/loophole-may-allow-for-hiring-of-sex-offenders-20110213
Read more:
myfoxboston
Updated: Tuesday, 12 Jul 2011, 9:30 AM EDT
Published : Monday, 11 Jul 2011, 6:56 PM EDT
Mike Beaudet; FOX Undercover
BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - A court officer charged with rape had the case against him dismissed after the alleged victim refused to testify, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office said.
A judge dismissed the charges against Charles Tatum, Jr. Monday as his trial was set to begin.
Tatum worked as a court officer until his arrest last year. His attorney did not return a phone call seeking comment.
But as FOX Undercover discovered, it’s not Tatum’s first brush with the law.
He’s already a convicted sex offender whose record from South Carolina didn't stop the Massachusetts courts from hiring him in 2001.
He passed a background check before he was hired, but that check only looked at Massachusetts court appearances.
As FOX Undercover’s Mike Beaudet reported on Sunday, Massachusetts is one of the few states that hasn't passed legislation that would allow national criminal background checks on many employees.
“It’s outrageous,” said Laurie Myers, a victims advocate. “We have to get our act together in this state. We have to decide what’s important and we need to act on it. That’s it. We can't always be the last state to do something. Especially when it comes to public safety.”
“What’s it going to take for Massachusetts to start doing national background checks?” asked Beaudet.
“In my experience, probably a murder or some high profile case that forces them to do it,” Myers said.
Related Stories
http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/undercover/background-check-loophole-exposed-20110710 http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/undercover/loophole-may-allow-for-hiring-of-sex-offenders-20110213
Read more:
myfoxboston
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