BLOG Extra!!! Syd Explains About What Happened

TO: All Joe Hill Readers

Syd sent this to the Joe Hill Email Address so I presume he has no objection with me posting this. Some thoughts... I think that if baseball bats qualify as weapons then the golf clubs in Hammbert's office qualify as weapons as well. The Fumes have had softball equipment at the property before without any problems. But if you are on Mark Johnson's or Rob Montgomery shit list then I suppose a frown or an off stare qualify as a weapon. Syd, say you are sorry to Kay if she misunderstood and tell then them to get real, or you may be the next staff reduction for the fall schedule.

In Solidarity

Joe Hill

To:
From: Syd Jacobson
Date: September 24, 2004
Subject: Misunderstanding at Fall Training

I was approached by Sue Quick, a supervisor, in the fall training class Friday, September 24, 2004 at 17:02 where we had just broke for lunch. She emphatically said that she needed to talk to me right now and to bring all my things. She looked very serious and I wondered what this was all about. This was said in front of other classmates.

We walked back to Mark Johnson’s office where Kay Kinnish, another supervisor, joined us and I was told Walt Boynton would be here as my union representative. Sue proceeded to ask me about my threatening behavior in class toward my fall training instructor, Kay Christopher, involving a baseball bat that occurred about an hour and a half earlier. It was also mentioned that I had brought a weapon to the workplace. I was completely stunned and caught off guard with the accusation to think that my intentions in training class had apparently been grossly misunderstood. I knew we would be discussing safety and heightened security issues in mass transit.

The reason I brought two baseball bats to class was to facilitate a conversation, at an appropriate time, about weapons or potential weapons that can be carried on the bus (my work station). Just the sight of a common child’s bat can be unnerving. I was merely using the baseball bats as props to represent a household item that could be misconstrued as a weapon and potentially make some people uncomfortable, both on and off the bus. Apparently my example made about ten times the impact I was anticipating. I had asked Kay Christopher if it was a weapon, she said "It’s a bat." She showed no visible outward signs that she was stressed or troubled. The bats were clearly visible in class the entire time since we started at 12:00 o’clock. People saw the bats being carried to the classroom before it began. It was no secret. I believe everyone in the room saw them. At no time did any instructor question my motive for them.

Our training sessions have a history of using props to make points. In our class there was a fake bomb up on a ledge in the southeast corner that looked real. Some people were made to feel uneasy with this prop also. I had actually hoped to open dialog with Ken Hamm about LTD’s policy of no weapons or pepper spray being allowed to be carried by operators, but are carried by customers. He was unable to attend class as scheduled. When Kay Christopher asked me directly during class "Okay, Syd, so what’s with the bats?", I took my que to walk up in front of the room with her and address my issue to the class. I am not a teacher, instructor or experienced public speaker. I may have been a little flushed feeling because Sue Quick later mentioned to me that I was "red faced." Anyone who has worked around me could tell you I almost always wear shorts and am a very warm blooded person. "Red faced" is common for me.
I said a few sentences about my feelings of vulnerability at work (with the bat outstretched in front of me, hanging onto it near the middle) and being trapped in the driver’s seat. I expressed my desire to change the policy regarding pepper spray. After I finished, Kay said she would be more comfortable with the bats up front, so I handed them to her and returned to my seat. This all took place in less than two minutes. It was a loosely structured class where people were encouraged to chime in, ask questions, be involved. The class continued on like nothing out of the ordinary happened.

I assumed, as I believe the other classmates present believed, that a good point was made. I never raised the bat up to my shoulder or ever hung on to it by the handle as if to swing it. At no time did anyone tell me to sit down, or get away from them, or that I was scaring them. Nothing negative was said to me at all. I never threatened or meant to intimidate the instructor personally nor would I do something like that. I was merely trying to add a meaningful example of how the presence of a simple item can create uneasiness, for debate purposes in the classroom. I assumed this was the proper venue for this discussion.

I feel very badly that Kay Christopher apparently mistook the prop display to be personally threatening and I would publicly apologize to her if it is deemed appropriate. I am deeply saddened and disappointed that anyone could think that I would go "postal" at my workplace and hurt another co-worker. This is very troubling for me. I did respect her as a good instructor and was enjoying participating in the class. I sensed no change in the climate of the atmosphere and assumed that I was not out of place to speak. I value my job and was trying to add to the quality of the training.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Sue Quick said that I was being put on paid administrative leave pending further investigation. I mentioned to her that we were hurting for drivers with the game tomorrow, and I would like to continue driving while they looked into things further. She said absolutely not and to go home now. Apparently emergency status was declared because Jim Stinson was force canceled with less than 24 hours notice. Sue Quick seemed to enjoy being very mean spirited toward me which I mentioned to her. Also, there was discussion between Sue and Walt that I would need to be paid overtime for football already scheduled to drive on Saturday (Football #7748).

I hope this matter can be resolved quickly as I am anxious to return to work and would like an opportunity to complete another training session. Thank you.