Opposition is growing to the MTA’s callous and insulting decision not to resume cash trash actions at subway booths.
Sen. Julia Salazar, Councilman Justin Brannan, the Riders Alliance, and others, have joined Transport Workers Union Local 100 in demanding NYC Transit President Sarah Feinstein reverse direction and enable riders to make cash transactions at the booths.
The MTA has resumed cash transactions for its suburban commuter train riders using the LIRR and Metro-North roads.
“Are they better than subway riders? Are they more deserving of this level of customer service? It’s an insulting outrage,” TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano said.
TWU Stations Vice President Robert Kelley is bashing the MTA in TV and radio and print interviews.
JUNE 23 — TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano hailed the victory of Eric Adams as the first choice among New Yorkers to become the next Mayor as “a great day for transit workers and a first huge step to gaining a leader at City Hall who truly understands the needs and values of blue-collar workers in this City.”
Local 100 was instrumental in defining subway crime as a major issue in the Mayoral campaign. Transit workers supported Adams at rallies and press conferences as that issue surged in the opinion polls.
President Utano said: “We in TWU wholeheartedly supported Eric Adams because he was the only candidate who saw what we saw; that the growing problems of assaults against the transit workforce, and the tragic issues of homelessness and the mentally ill living in the subway system have to be addressed as a top priority of the next mayor if we expect New York to return to normalcy after this pandemic.”
“Eric Adams is the right man for our City at the right time. No one else even comes close. If he continues to maintain his lead, we know that he will bring New York back to greatness. We will continue to provide our support in every way possible as he moves forward to the November election.”
The New Yorker magazine won first place for profile writing for its piece on Local 100’s very own Terence Layne.
The American Society of Magazine Editors announced the award to The New Yorker and reporter Jennifer Gonnerman for “Survival Story,” which begins with a description of a video message Bus Operator Layne, Manhattanville's Chief Shop Steward, recorded to his union brothers in sisters in the early days of the pandemic. The message was an encouraging, inspiring, defiant and powerful.
“I want to thank you all for stepping up and coming to work today and showing what leadership looks like,” Layne said. “We are performing an essential and invaluable task.” He reminded his co-workers that they were not only delivering hospital personnel to their jobs. “What about the person that needs dialysis? What about the person who needs regular cancer treatments?” he said. “We are helping all of these people live and survive this global pandemic.”
MaBSTOA Vice President and Local 100 Chief of Staff Richie Davis called Layne “a great union activist and fighter.”
Train Operator Jerome Jeffers, 53, a seven year veteran of NYCT, was killed in a car accident on June 13th in Queens. Brother Jeffers resided in Hollis, NY at the time of his passing, and was a lifelong resident of Queens. He worked 'vacation relief' in the B Division.
Outside of work, he enjoyed martial arts, computers, and was a member of the Freemasons. RTO VP Eric Loegel said "Jerome was a great guy, well liked throughout RTO. His loss is shocking and tragic. We're all saddened in RTO, and as his work family, we mourn alongside his relatives".
He is survived by his son, two grandchildren, and a brother.
There will be a Viewing for Brother Jeffers on June 25 from 4 to 7 PM at Crowe's Funeral Home, 107-44 Sutphin Blvd. in Jamaica, NY and a Funeral Service at 12 Noon on June 26th at the same location. All members are encouraged to attend.
In a PIX 11 report, Greg Mocker interviews Workers Comp Attorney Robert Grey, who explains that contrary to what the MTA is saying, the agency had the ability to award Workers Compensation benefits to Bus Operator Tommy Lau, who came to the aid of an elderly couple on his break and was brutally attacked for intervening.
These candidates have pledged to support TWU Local 100's priorities and strengthen our mass transit system.
Each has passed our candidate screening process and we enthusiastically endorse them as the best choice in each race.
Supporting these candidates means increasing our union power and making life better for working people.
In Westchester, we are supporting Mike Khader for Council President of Yonkers, Christopher A. Johnson for the Westchester County 16th District, Corazon Pineda-Isaac for the 2nd Council District, and Vedat Gashi for Westchester County Legislator.
Please vote for them when early voting begins on June 12 or on Election Day, June 22.
MAY 24 -- A mural portrait of slain Train Operator Garrett “G” Goble was unveiled at the Flatbush Ave. subway station on the No. 2 Line in Brooklyn today. Garrett’s mother, wife and and two young boys attended the MTA ceremony, along with other relatives, friends, and co-workers. An arsonist set a fire on Garrett’s train on March 20, 2020, in Harlem. The motorman evacuated his riders before being overcome by smoke.
At the ceremony, Goble's mother, Vicki, and wife, Delilah, shared memories of Garrett and thanked all for the support they have received. Growing up in Flatbush, Garrett worked as a Train Operator for six years.
Local 100 President Tony Utano, who was joined at the ceremony by RTO VP Eric Loegel, made the following remarks:
"This is a wonderful tribute to Garrett. Thousands of people will see this mural every day, ensuring that his legacy lives on. His legacy is one of bravery, heroism, selflessness, and service. Garrett made sure his riders escaped to safety. He put his riders first. He saved lives that morning. Think about that. There are people walking this Earth today because of Garrett.
"TWU Local 100 will never forget what Garrett did. We honor him today - and we honor him every day that we fight to make the transit system safer for workers and riders. We have gained ground. We have made progress. But the struggle continues. TWU Local 100 will fight on because no one should have to worry about their safety in our stations, on our trains, and on our buses. That is our commitment. We will fight on with Garrett in mind, and in our hearts. And we will always be there for his family. Always."
Concerned both for their own welfare and the protection of riders, Local 100 Bus Operators have been demanding additional police protection on buses. You can watch the latest report from News 12 here.
"Bus operators across the city gathered with union leaders in the Bronx on Thursday to demand that the mayor deploy police officers onto buses for protection. Kingsbridge Chief Shop Steward Monique Rondon says driving a bus around New York City is not an easy job.
"I work the BX13 and I was spat on and it went in my mouth, it was all over my uniform, and for no reason, because the guy wanted to stand right next to me and it's not allowed," Rondon says.
Lupe Guallpa has a similar story. She says she's gotten help from the TWU Local 100 to get through a traumatic encounter she will never forget.
She says she was clearing out the bus one night when she tried to wake up a man sleeping. She says the man "grabbed my hair and threw me to the floor and started choking me."
Union members passed out flyers to people riding the bus in hopes that the mayor will hear their call. "We're asking for police presence on the bus, and it hasn't happened yet,” says Richard Davis. “There's no one inside to take a step to help us out with the mentally ill and also violent criminals."
Following is a statement from TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano on the announcement by City Hall that 250 more Police Officers will be deployed in the subways.
MAY 17 -- Under constant attack from Local 100, the mayor has caved and is putting 250 more police into the subway. He made the announcement this morning. That’s on top of the approximately 750 additional officers, including Auxiliary police and Academy graduates, he was badgered into surging into the system earlier this year.
Local 100 and TWU International has been hammering the mayor on the lack of safety. We held press conferences, helped members tell their stories and experiences, took out a full-page ad in the Daily News, formed a coalition of labor leaders and unions to support our mission, and took other actions.
This is undeniably a big win. The mayor has finally taken his head out of the sand. There’s more to be done but this is a significant step forward. Workers and riders have a right to work and ride in safety.”
Make no mistake. COVID-19 is still a deadly killer, with new variants. But the vaccine protects against them. Thousands of TWU Local 100 members have taken the COVID-19 vaccine with no ill effects. On the COVID-19 Employee Resource Site members can schedule an appointment or upload your vaccination card. Updated vaccine site hours are posted here, information sheets, and FAQs. Here's the latest fact sheet on COVID-19.
