In the words of one Muni operator, this week the transit agency's drivers were "sick of disenfranchisement, discrimination, deceit, and disrespect,” leading to a three-day "sick-out" that left passengers stranded, crushed, and angry. Though those four Ds sound more like a philosophical ailment than a virus or bacteria, it's been reported that most of the drivers who missed work this week have had their illness vouched for by a medical professional.

On Monday evening, SFMTA Chief of Staff Alicia John-Baptiste sent a memo to all drivers saying that because "a large number of transit operators did not report for work in what appears to be a 'sick out'... Operators claiming to be sick today, or in connection with any future “sick out”, will be required to submit adequate verification from their health care provider in order to be eligible to receive paid sick leave today (or during any future 'sick out')."

Apparently, the 1500 drivers who have called in sick this week were either genuinely ill or blessed with disenfranchisement-sympathetic doctors, as, CBS5 reports, the majority have provided doctor's notes excusing their absences.

"Sick leave is available to employees when they or a family member is sick or in need of medical care," John-Baptiste told drivers on Monday. "It would be dishonest to claim entitlement to sick leave when these circumstances do not pertain."

It appears that the SFMTA wants to put the ailing drivers' honesty to the test, for, as MTA spokesman Paul Rose told CBS5, “Well, we’re certainly looking at doctor’s notes to verify them, and verify them to make sure these are verified doctors and notes."

Meanwhile, the Transit Workers Unit local 250-A, which was unavailable to the press on the first day of the sick-out and denied responsibility for the action on the second, has since presented their side of the issue to the SF Bay Guardian and to 48 Hills.

Union president Eric Williams tells 48 Hills that drivers are frustrated over stalled contract negotiations that, Williams says, would cause members to "come up $1.10 an hour short" and would leave workers hired after a certain date at a lower rate of pay for their entire career with the SFMTA.

"It's unfortunate the public thinks it's the common workers' fault on any of these issues," Williams told the Guardian. "Our members have to take care of our families, our children, paying for college, just like you."

When asked by the Guardian if he believed that there had been a backlash against workers because of the sick-out, Williams, who apparently does not read the comment sections of any local publications, said "Honestly, I couldn't tell the difference, we've been drug over the coals for so long."

The union and SFMTA management are now required to go into arbitration. According to Rose, the first meeting between the two sides is scheduled for Saturday.