by trainjunkies
Caught On Tape: Rail Workers Stealing Time?
NEW YORK -- For years we've been hearing the MTA is going broke. Fares went up and services were cut. But NewsChannel 4's Scott Weinberger has learned about an MTA practice that's squandering your tax dollars.
More than two-dozen MTA employees are accused of spending most of their workday running personal errands, hanging out at home and even drinking, not on their lunch breaks, but on company time.
The employees all work for Metro-North Railroad. Their job descriptions range from safety inspectors to cleaning crews to maintenance workers. Some are even supervisors.
They were caught on tape by investigators from the MTA's Inspector General's Office, and through the Freedom of Information Act NewsChannel 4 was able to obtain that tape.
Thirty-one employees are accused of stealing company time. Investigators even dubbed this "Operation Seinfield," the investigation about workers doing nothing.
NewsChannel 4 tried to get in touch with the workers seen on the video through their union, but they chose to allow the union speak on their behalf.
As for the managers in charge of those workers, Metro-North officials told NewsChannel 4 they have no plans to take action against them or to change any policies.
While all of the employees caught on tape will likely face some suspensions or even possible termination, the inspector general said it's unlikely any would face criminal charges.
NEW YORK -- For years we've been hearing the MTA is going broke. Fares went up and services were cut. But NewsChannel 4's Scott Weinberger has learned about an MTA practice that's squandering your tax dollars.
More than two-dozen MTA employees are accused of spending most of their workday running personal errands, hanging out at home and even drinking, not on their lunch breaks, but on company time.
The employees all work for Metro-North Railroad. Their job descriptions range from safety inspectors to cleaning crews to maintenance workers. Some are even supervisors.
They were caught on tape by investigators from the MTA's Inspector General's Office, and through the Freedom of Information Act NewsChannel 4 was able to obtain that tape.
Thirty-one employees are accused of stealing company time. Investigators even dubbed this "Operation Seinfield," the investigation about workers doing nothing.
NewsChannel 4 tried to get in touch with the workers seen on the video through their union, but they chose to allow the union speak on their behalf.
As for the managers in charge of those workers, Metro-North officials told NewsChannel 4 they have no plans to take action against them or to change any policies.
While all of the employees caught on tape will likely face some suspensions or even possible termination, the inspector general said it's unlikely any would face criminal charges.