syntax error near unexpected token `newline'

When trying to access "currentBuild.buildCauses[0].shortDescription" receive error 
pipeline@tmp/durable-dc6fd640/script.sh: line 1: syntax error near unexpected token `newline'

This variable is great to use in when {} expressions. It would be great to have it.
For other plugins this call retrieve information about action that triggered the job (e.g. Started by an SCM change)