Summer's warmth is spreading across the country, but life at Greyhound gets colder and colder.  ATU Local 1700 was still developing alternatives to the slash-and-burn methods the company is using to cut mileage and jobs when management launched a new witch-hunt to terrorize employees.

Local 1700 objected to Greyhound’s background checks when the illegal, unilateral undertaking first got underway. Now the company is leveling false charges against good, hard-working bus drivers, mechanics and others, sending mail to their families containing false accusations, and intruding into their lives over matters that are completely unrelated to their jobs.

And Greyhound is trying to force even more employees to authorize the company to dig up dirt – even unproven and false accusations – on them. Regrettably, some members signed the releases. The company has now finally acknowledged that some supervisors overstepped their authority. They promised that they will return release forms to every employee who requests to have it back. If a supervisor refuses to give back your release form, or if a supervisor asks you to sign a release, immediately call your shop steward, your regional V.P., or the national union office at (212) 721-2077.

Supervisors are reportedly threatening drivers and mechanics who stand up for their rights. Local 1700 members must tell the company in a loud, unified voice that we will never surrender our rights. We will not stand for discipline based on a defective background check or on refusal to authorize a background check.

There is a racist streak to Greyhound’s newest attack. It has been well established that young African American males face police harassment, false arrest and imprisonment much more than any other demographic group. Now, years after members may have defended themselves or paid for their wrongs, management is dredging up these past inequities of the justice system. Has anyone at the company heard of “double jeopardy”?

Some members might think it doesn’t matter if Greyhound checks their background because they have nothing to hide. Wrong! The company has accused members with clean records of crimes they did not commit, and dug up old family disputes to intimidate members with their supposed “pasts.” You may be able to prove your innocence later, but it could be at great cost to you and your family. In any case, Americans aren’t supposed to have to prove our innocence!

Furthermore, the release form authorizes Greyhound and its agents to do whatever they want with all the information – true or false – they find, including selling it or publishing it, and they don’t even need to inform us. The release also says we agree not to take any action against the company or its agents if they make a mistake that costs us our job or money to defend ourselves.