Let's Help Out Brother Mike Bakalo

I would like to take a moment to talk to everyone about our co-worker, brother and friend, Mike Bakalo. As we all know, Mike Bakalo was the Locomotive Engineer involved in the derailment of Train 2817 on January 4, 2017. After the accident, Mike underwent numerous health tests and physical examinations, and was subsequently diagnosed with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Despite the LIRR not implementing screening and testing for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a reasonable amount of time after the Metro North accident at Spuyten Duyvil, and the LIRR not the implementing FRA Safety Advisory 2016-03 until the afternoon after the accident in Brooklyn, the carrier has terminated Mike as a LIRR Locomotive Engineer.   Imagine yourself in this position: You go into work every morning at midnight, you do your job, you do what you're supposed to do. Then, one day, due to an undiagnosed medical condition, you have an accident. And you're fired for it. What happened to Brother Mike could happen to ANY of us.

While his case is under appeal, Mike is without an income until his dismissal is either overturned, or he finds new employment. I reached out to Mike about starting a Gofundme page to give him some support during this trying time. He was hesitant, as most of us would be. But I explained to him that we are just doing what we do here, as conductors and engineers: We help each other out. Mike has always worked hard to provide for his family. Please help Mike and his family by contributing any amount you can, so that Mike can continue to concentrate on his family's well being.