All News

Gov. Cuomo Signs Covid-19 Death Benefit Bill

TWU-supported legislation granting new accidental death benefits to public workers who died after contracting COVID-19 was signed into law by Gov. Cuomo today.

The pension legislation enables a beneficiary to receive half-salary payments for life. That could be much more advantageous than the other applicable option in New York State pension law: up to three years’ pay in one lump sum. Both options are in addition to the $500,000 per transit family that Local 100 secured in negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority last month.

“Nothing will replace the lives of our union brothers and sisters who perished,” Local 100 President Tony Utano said. “No piece of legislation will fill the void in our hearts. But we can ensure the families of our fallen heroes are on solid financial ground. This bill goes a long way towards that goal.”

Utano thanked Assemblyman Peter Abbate and Sen. Andrew Gounardes for introducing the accidental death benefit legislation in the state Assembly and Senate. Local 100 will be providing updates in the coming days on how the new benefits will be distributed.

Funeral Arrangements for our Brother, Adm. VP Nelson Rivera

It is with deep sadness that we announce the funeral arrangements for Administrative Vice President Nelson Rivera. Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, the viewing will be limited to the Rivera family and the union will process in a motorcade at the site of the funeral home. The private viewings take place on Thursday, June 4, and Friday, June 5. The procession takes place on June 4. Please see below for full details and guidelines for the event. 

Read more
Alain Walker and his wife, Michelle
Alain Walker and his wife, Michelle

RTO Mourns Work Train Operator Alain Walker, 54; Dies of Coronavirus

Train Operator Alain Walker spent his entire career in New York City Transit, starting as a Station Agent at the age of 25, then moving on to Conductor and then becoming a Train Operator. He leaves three children, Amayah, 18, Tyraun, 25, and Kendall, 32, to mourn him, as well as his loving wife, Michelle.

His friend, Work Train Operator Quinton Montgomery, said, “he was right behind me. We worked together all the time. He was a good dude, good at his job. He loved his family.”

Read more

Kingsbridge Bus Operator Walter Watson Passes from Virus

Kingsbridge Depot is mourning the passing of another Brother member to the Coronavirus, Bus Operator Walter ‘Wats’ Watson.  He was 55 and died on May 4, 2020.  He had 20 years on the job at Jackie Gleason Depot and in recent years, Kingsbridge near his home.

Brother Watson graduated John F. Kennedy High School in the Bronx, and shortly thereafter joined the U.S. Navy, where he excelled in electronics and became a certified naval electrician. He served on the nuclear submarine, USS Shark out of Groton, CT. After being discharged, he was offered a civilian military position in Iraq, but decided to stay close to home and went to work for United Parcel Service.

During those years, he helped start the Marble Hill 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament for the neighborhood youth. He also worked for Baldor’s, the specialty food service company, before joining NYCT in 2000.

Kingsbridge Vice Chair Felix Olivo said that Brother Watson was “very well liked at the depot, a fun loving guy.  He was a hard worker and spoke his mind.  He loved his Steelers and was always wearing the Black and Yellow proudly.  He’s going to be dearly missed.” Brother Watson is survived by his wife, Tiffany, a 2-year old son, Walter Watson V, two daughters, Enaj and Sydney, four sisters and three brothers.

A PBA Luncheon for Transit Workers, Unions Show Solidarity; We Demand Hazard Pay

MAY 27 -- The Police Benevolent Association came to downtown Brooklyn this afternoon to deliver boxes lunches to transit workers to thank us for getting them to work -- and making sure that the City continues to be viable during the pandemic. PBA President Pat Lynch, a former NYCT Conductor and the son of a Train Operator, spoke of the sacrifices made and the reality that both cops and transit workers do not have the option to stay home during the pandemic. President Tony Utano expressed thanks for the solidarity between our two unions and called on the authority to grant hazard pay to the workforce.

Conductor Elecier Williams Passes from the Virus at 41; ‘Favorite Niece’ of Jamaican Consul-General

Local 100 is mourning the loss of Conductor Elecier Williams, who had two years on the job and passed from the virus at the young age of 41. Sister Williams worked the extra list on the midnight tour and lived in the Bronx. She leaves a loving family which includes the Consul General of Jamaica in New York, Mrs. Alsion Roach Wilson, who called her “my favorite niece.”

Read more

Signal Maintainer Ricardo Hill is Lost to Virus

Line Equipment/Signals Division is mourning the loss to the Coronavirus of Signal Maintainer Ricardo Hill.  He had 20 years on the job and passed away on May 14, 2020 at the hospital.  He worked out of Liberty Junction on the A line.

Division Chair Duvet Williams, who worked with Brother Hill in the past, said that “Ricardo was a tremendous professional.  He was an expert on electronics.  If you needed to know anything about electronics, he would teach you.”

Brother Hill was an avid amateur photographer.  “He put a lot of effort into photography.  He had very expensive equipment, and was really good at it,” said Williams.  “This is really sad,” said Williams.  “Ricardo was in great shape from exercising and lifting weights.  He was a really good person, and a very positive influence on his co-workers.  We are all going to miss this great union brother.”

‘A’ Division Pick Is Postponed

IB Image

Due to Divisional concerns, the ‘A’ Division Spring pick has been postponed indefinitely. We apologize for our earlier posting regarding a resumption of the pick on May 27, 2020. We will keep you advised on when the pick may resume. All questions should be directed to the Divisional Chairs:

Train Operators
Zach Arcidiacono: 646-417-1461, or e-mail:
zarcidiacono@twulocal100.org

Conductors:
Raul Lugo: 646-884-2454, or e-mail:
rlugo@twulocal100.org

 

Jazz Vocalist's Tribute to Essential Workers Uses Photos of Our Members

Austrian-born jazz vocalist and bandleader Elizabeth Lohninger's song Alright is a tribute to essential workers during COVID19 -- and she uses images of transit workers along with health care workers to send a message of hope amid the pandemic. Thank you for recognizing the importance and value of transit workers as we move America.

Voting Power is Political Power -- How to Vote During COVID19

Election Day is June 23, 2020 for State & Federal Primaries

, and the Early Voting Period runs from June 13, 2020 – June 21, 2020. You can vote even if you cannot get to the polling place on Election Day.

Under the Governor's Executive Orders: To help prevent the community spread of COVID-19, all registered, eligible voters may apply to vote by Absentee ballot for the June 23, 2020 elections. Voters affected by COVID-19 including the risk of contracting the virus, should check the box "Temporary Illness" as the reason for requesting an Absentee Ballot. The definition has been temporarily expanded to include those affected by COVID-19 and/or the potential of contracting the virus.

Find out how to vote from home at this link: https://vote.nyc/page/absentee-voting

Syndicate content