09/10/10Text message costs bus driver his job

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STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- A bus driver in Sweden says he was fired for writing a text message he was sending his bosses while driving a passenger bus.

Ted Stridsberg of the transportation company Busslink said the unidentified driver was caught on film driving with his elbows so his hands would be free to tap out a text message on his cell phone, The Local reported Friday.

Despite the fact the bus was traveling at high speeds during Tuesday's incident, the driver insists his passengers were never at risk.

"I used the telephone when it was quiet on the road and we were driving along a straight stretch of road," the driver said regarding his multitasking during the journey from Stockholm to Norrtalje.

The Local said a union representative has voiced support for the bus driver, saying his employer should accept a portion of the blame since the driver insists he was responding to a call from management.

"It becomes an obligation when an employer rings up and expects that one should receive instructions -- at the same time as they know that he is working," Bengt Bryungs of the Kommunal union said.

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http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2009/10/10/ ... 255205485/