Arrested

If those four MTA employees who were arrested for fraudulent licenses are members of TWU Local 100 then we believe they should get a second chance.

Lets assume that those four individuals have been on good behavior for the last 10 years or rehabilitated their behavior in a manner to become good members of society (which is the guiding principle of justice and corrections). There are many examples of people who rehabilitated thus becoming productive members of society, infact they have ascended the throne, i.e. U.S. Senator Edward M. ‘Ted’ Kennedy. Mary Jo Kopechne who died in a car accident on Chappaquidick Island, Massachusetts on July 18, 1969, was a passenger in a car being driven by U.S. Senator Edward M. ‘Ted’ Kennedy. The 43rd United States President George W. Bush in December 1966 (age 20) was arrested for disorderly conduct after he and some friends had "a few beers" and stole a Christmas wreath from a hotel. The charges were later dropped. On September 4, 1976 (age 30), Bush was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol near his family's summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine. He admitted his guilt, was fined $150, and had his driving license in the state suspended for two years.

Clearly in those above examples they received more than second chances thus we here in why did you join the union believe those four are entitled to a second chance. They should not be dismissed but rather should be demoted to titles that does not interact with the public or their safety.

We can give many examples or cite numerous high profile individuals but we are not interested in that - what we are interested in is protecting our members of TWU Local 100. Many of you are aware of how youthful indiscretions are many that come to be regretted when they mature - the point is if those four have been rehabilitated for a period of time they should get a second chance.

Lets review the fraudulent licenses issue is it considered a crime of high seriousness? We wonder what the standard for measurement is and to what degree the crime affects others or society - we find it pales to those above examples. 

Now coming back do those four deserve the penalty to be dismissed? We here in why did you join the union believe that the punishment should fit the crime definitely. Those four deserve a second chance we believe our TWU Local 100 president John Samuelsen should work tirelessly to preserve those members.