Federal court rules CARTA violated First Amendment rights of Chattanooga workers
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A federal court has ruled CARTA violated the First Amendment rights of workers in Chattanooga.
Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1212-Chattanooga, the union representing the workers, is calling it a big victory.
In a press release, ATU says CARTA prohibited bus operator and Local President Kathryn Smith from appearing at a CARTA monthly board meeting to voice her concerns about the agency's safety, service, and other problems including "mistreatment of, and possible discrimination against, workers by management."
“CARTA was attempting to squash on our First Amendment right to bring to the attention of the public and CARTA board members our concerns about safety and service, and mistreatment and disrespect of our members,” said Smith in the statement.
“There is a disturbing trend occurring across our country in which transit agencies trample on the free speech rights of employees who expose safety problems and other issues,” says ATU International President John Costa. “It’s an unlawful abuse of power. We will continue to campaign against unsafe conditions and mistreatment of transit workers as long as it takes to protect our livelihoods and ensure the safety of our riders and the welfare of the communities we serve.”
We reached out to CARTA for a statement. They responded that they cannot comment on the matter right now because it is "still pending litigation."
You can read the full court opinion below.
