IL -- A Springfield Mass Transit District bus driver received a one-day unpaid suspension recently for wearing a pink tie to help raise awareness for breast cancer.
The driver had to serve the suspension, but his action also led to the SMTD agreeing that employees could wear pink on Fridays in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
William “Bill” Jones, 46, said he didn’t think wearing a pink tie on the first Friday of the month would be a problem, since National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a nationally recognized event.
Locally, St. John’s Hospital and the American Cancer Society have been promoting a campaign called “Real Men Wear Pink,” encouraging men to wear pink on Fridays in October as a reminder to women to get annual mammograms.
Jones said he was told to take the pink tie off and later was told he must take a day without pay because the tie was a violation of the district’s dress code.
Jones, an SMTD employee for nine years, said he planned to file a formal grievance on Tuesday.
For Jones, wearing the pink tie was personal. He’s had several relatives who have battled cancer, including a grandmother, a sister, a couple of cousins and a niece.
“It represents the women of my family who have fallen to breast cancer and cancer itself,” Jones said. “And to all women across this country who have either fallen from the disease or who have survived. That’s basically what it’s for.”
Linda Tisdale, the SMTD’s managing director, declined to comment on the specifics of the incident, saying it is a personnel matter.
Speaking generally, Tisdale said the district provides a uniform for new employees, including one pair of shoes, a belt, two neckties, four shirts, three pairs of slacks/trousers and a jacket/coat. It also provides up to $200 a year worth of new uniform items.
“Any time there is a deviation from the uniform, the employee must ask in advance,” she said. “We’ve tended to work with them on these occasions. It’s approved in advance so any deviation can be open up to all the operators.’
For example, she said, employees several years ago asked to dress up for Halloween. Tisdale said that was approved, and there was even a contest for best costume. Other approved requests have included red and white Santa Claus hats.
Tisdale said she has consulted with the transit board, and she posted a memo Oct. 7 informing employees that pink could be worn on Fridays in October in recognition of Breast Cancer Month.
But Jones said he still had to serve his suspension.
Jones said he decided to file a grievance not only because he was suspended for wearing a pink tie, but also for being singled out.
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