Texting MBTA driver fired

The MBTA trolley operator who investigators said was text messaging his girlfriend before a crash in Boston last week was fired as the transit agency's main labor union reversed course and decided to challenge the agency's new cell phone ban.

In a statement, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said General Manager Daniel Grabauskas notified Aiden Quinn on Thursday that he had been "discharged from the employ of the MBTA."

Quinn, who sustained a broken wrist in the accident, had been advised by his attorney not to meet with investigators and his firing was anticipated. Nearly 50 people were hurt when the Green Line trolley Quinn was operating collided with another train between the Government Center and Park Street stations last Friday.

A call to Quinn's attorney, Michelle Menken, was not immediately returned.

Massachusetts transportation officials announced Wednesday they were immediately banning near ly all mass-transit drivers in Boston from using or even carrying cell phones or other personal digital assistants.

But the Boston Carmen's Union said in a letter to T officials that "the rule is unreasonable under the contract" with subway and trolley drivers. The members support some change in policy, the letter said, but only after it has been negotiated.

The letter was signed by the union's recording secretary, John Clancy, and differed sharply from the unequivocal support for the ban declared Saturday by Carmen's President Steve MacDougall. MacDougall was carbon-copied on Clancy's letter.

MacDougall said at the time he expected some resistance from the union's 6,000 members, which represent most T employees. He said he feared they would believe they were being punished for the irresponsibility of a single employee. But he said he believes most workers would eventually embrace the change.

"When it comes to public safety and operating public transp ortation vehicles, a line has to be drawn," he said then.

MacDougall did not immediately return a message left Thursday at the Carmen's Union.

Grabauskas said in a statement: "I am disappointed that the union has retreated from its initial strong support for a policy that I know will save lives."

State Transportation Secretary James Aloisi said the union was putting personal convenience over public safety.

"This threatened grievance is, given the facts and circumstances, unconscionable and proves how out of touch the union is with reality."

Under the new policy, any bus, subway or commuter rail driver caught using a phone receives a 30-day suspension, with a recommendation of discharge. Anyone caught carrying a phone or electronic organizer faces a 10-day suspension. A second offense will cost them a 30-day suspension and a recommendation for discharge.