Port Authority cancels suspensions for supervisors; mask issue isn’t over

Port Authority canceled suspensions and disciplinary hearings Tuesday for two driver training supervisors for wearing face masks that read “Black Lives Matter,” but the issue likely isn’t over.

Supervisors Sascha Craig and Monika Wheeler were suspended with pay last Wednesday pending a disciplinary hearing for wearing the masks in violation of a new dress code policy for drivers. The authority canceled the hearings after it realized the policy applied only to drivers, not union supervisors covered under a separate policy, and told them to report for work Wednesday.

This week, the authority also amended the dress code for supervisors, making any clothing or accessory that expresses a political or social message unacceptable.

That means the issue likely will come to a head again when the supervisors report for work.

“If that [amended policy] is written to limit my free speech, we’re going to have a problem,” said Mr. Craig, who vowed to wear his Black Lives Matter mask.

Mr. Craig, a Penn Hills resident who has worked for the authority for nearly 30 years, including 20 as a training supervisor, said he was told he was suspended after a co-worker complained to management about his mask and he refused to remove it. He said he finds it ironic the agency has a bus decorated for Gay Pride and supports other social issues but considers his clothing inappropriate.

Port Authority said last week it can support issues as an agency, but it is a violation of policy if individuals don’t follow the dress code.

Spokesman Adam Brandolph said managers didn’t realize there was a separate dress code for supervisors and the two shouldn’t have been suspended.

“Management realized the policy only applied to drivers, and they aren’t drivers,” said Steve Palonis, president and business agent for Local 85 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents drivers, maintenance workers and supervisors.

“They agreed to bring them back to work [without a disciplinary hearing]. In essence, they got several paid days off.”

Mr. Craig looked at it a little differently.

“They put my life on hold, and it stressed me out,” he said.

Mr. Palonis said he expects another suspension Wednesday if Mr. Craig wears his mask again.

“The matter has to go to court,” he said.

Last week, the union said it has won similar cases in recent years in Michigan and Tennessee.