News from TWU Local 100

Frank Gurrera, Local 100's Oldest Active Member, Profiled on NY1

New York's all-news station, NY1, did a feature story about Machinist Frank Gurrera, the proud World War II vet who is still at his workbench at 90 with no plans to retire. Here is a transcript of the report. You can watch it here.

The subway system is a mere two decades older than a 90-year-old Metropolitan Transportation Authority employee who keeps the system running. NY1's Jose Martinez has the story of a true golden-aged go-getter.

When Frank Gurrera began working for the Transit Authority, a subway ride cost just 30 cents. That was in March 1970, and Gurrera is still on the job as a machinist—at 90 years young. "Whatever breaks down or whatever must be modified is what I do," says Frank Gurrera. The transit system's sprawling Coney Island Yard is where the World War II Navy vet makes and modifies parts for old subway cars and work trains, parts that in many cases are no longer made commercially. "They'll hand me something, and they'll say, 'Make a new one.' They'll hand you a pretzel and say 'Make a straight rod out of it,'" says Gurrera.

Gurrera joined the transit system 45 years ago after working as a machinist in the aerospace industry, making parts for missiles and gyroscopes for the moonshot program. "Companies moved out, laid off. I had no place else to go and looked around for other machinists job and I found this one," he says. Born in Brooklyn, he's lived in the same house his whole life. He wife died two years ago, and he has no children. But his co-workers are his family. He shows up at 9 a.m. five days a week—leaving them in awe. "Some people have like a hobby. His hobby is coming to the job. And, actually, he likes the machinery and he likes doing what he's doing," says MTA Transit Supervisor Yefim Shpaner.

"A lot of times you hear the younger guys complaining, for whatever it is. And you look at Frank, very rarely do you hear a complaint out of him. He's there setting an example, doing his job," says Tom Carrano of Transport Workers Union Local 100. Gurrera says he wouldn't have it any other way, and credits a lifetime of clean living for keeping him in working order. 

"I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't do any drugs. I just work around the house, do what has to be done and whatever has to be done here," says Gurrera. Going to work, he says, just never gets old. Even though his T shirt says "Retiree in Training," Gurrera says he has no plans to step away from a job he loves. 

TWU Convoy Bringing 9/11 I-Beam to Kennedy Space Center

Three years ago a group of Kennedy Space Center firefighters – represented by TWU Local 525 – made an official request to the Port Authority for a relic of the World Trade Center disaster. This summer, their memorial was made a reality when the PA agreed to send a 7-foot I-beam, recovered from the wreckage, and weighing over a ton, to the Space Center. It will be installed on a pedestal at KSC Fire Station 1 as part of an already-existing memorial to 9/11.

Seven TWU Locals took part in the transport, and the I-beam will be in the custody of Local 525, which represents the firefighters among other titles. The MTA’s honor guard, all TWU Local 100 members, stood at attention as the 9/11 beam was brought to JFK airport and met by TWU Local 501 (fleet service, facility, and automotive mechanics) and Local 591 (aircraft maintenance group). TWU Local 1400 Port Authority ground staff were on hand as well. From JFK, the convoy headed to Philadelphia, where TWU Local 504 received the shipment, then on to Florida and Locals 591 and 568, representing fleet service workers in Miami. American Airlines donated the cost of the trip.

One Local 525 fireman, James Dumont, told Florida Today: “To have a piece of the World Trade Center, where so many people sacrificed that day, especially in a profession we chose to do, and have it as a constant reminder for the future generations of younger firefighters – yeah, I think this is the right thing to do.”

At Local 100, we’re proud to have helped play a part.

GOP Debate - Good Televison, Bad Candidates

If you missed the Republican presidential debate, go watch it on the Internet. This union member found it thoroughly entertaining - both amusing and somewhat frightening at the same time.

First the fright factor.

The cast of characters includes men, and only men, like Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who successfully led a war against unions in his state, signing legislation that took away their right to collectively negotiate the terms of employment on behalf of workers.

Union power has been sapped, membership plummeted and Walker wants to take his anti-union crusade to the national stage.

On social issues, Walker would take away a woman's right to choose whether to continue a pregnancy even if it was the result of rape or incest, and even if the procedure is deemed necessary to save the mother's life. 

The sleepy-eyed Wisconsin governor, meanwhile, would repeal the groundbreaking Affordable Care Act, which has resulted in 22 million of previously uninsured receiving health coverage and better care.

Those views, at least broadly, are in line with most or all of the other GOP candidates on the stage. 

The 10 candidates stood at podiums that stretched across the entire stage at the Quicken Loans Arena.

Union Hall to Host First Health Fair in Late August

TWU Local 100 and the MTA are co-sponsoring a first-ever joint health fair at the union hall on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015. Come on out and bring the family. Make it a first step to a healthier future for you and your dependents.

See official invitation from TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen and NYCT President Carmen Bianco.