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Pelham Barn Workers Mourn CI Alaa Khalil

Alaa Khalil, a hard-working Car Inspector who did “the toughest job in the shop” and was a mentor to new workers at Pelham Barn, has died of the Coronavirus. He worked the midnight shift, power washing air conditioning units on the subway cars’ undercarriages. He has been on the job since 2013 and worked at the Corona Barn before picking into Pelham. He was 60 years old.

TWU Local 100 Recognizes Our Members and All Essential Workers

TWU Local 100, representing 40,000 front line workers at New York City Transit, is still moving New York despite the Coronavirus pandemic. Today, at 3pm, all Operators honked their horns to recognize essential workers.

Update on Conductor Ben Schaeffer - Can Take Plasma from Any Blood Type

Ben Schaeffer, Local 100’s RTO Conductor Vice Chair, remains on a ventilator at Maimonides Hospital fighting for his life against COVID-19. Local 100 has been informed that Brother Schaeffer can take blood plasma from any donor, regardless of blood type, but the donor must be male. Doctors have recommended an experimental new treatment called “Convalescent Plasma.” The Blood Bank at the hospital needs blood donors who have tested positive for the coronavirus, have recovered, and have gone at least 14 days without symptoms. The number for potential donors to call is 718-283-7657. Any blood type is accepted, but the donors must be male. Please help our Union Brother.

RTO Mourns A-Train Conductor Jacob Credell, 64

The men and women of Rapid Transit Operations are mourning the passing of Conductor Jacob Credell, who was one of the first transit workers to test positive for the virus. He passed on March 31, said his daughter, Natalie. He had 19 years of service with transit.

Union Mourns Station Agent Harrichand Persaud, 69

Another beloved Station Agent, Harrichand Persaud, 69, has succumbed to the virus. Brother Persaud had 30 years of service with NYCT. While working on the J line as lunch relief in late March he felt ill, and went out sick two days before a scheduled vacation. The vacation turned out to be a battle with the coronavirus. He passed on April 11th at North Shore Hospital.

Brother Fletcher and His Family

Flatbush Bus Maintainer Joseph Fletcher Dies of the Virus

Joseph Fletcher, a Bus Maintainer from the Flatbush Depot, has lost his battle with the Coronavirus. He passed away on April 11, 2020. He had been with TAS Maintenance since 2008, and was 60 years old. He had worked for a number of years at the Central Maintenance Facility at East New York and Maspeth before transferring to Flatbush, having a total of more than 17 years of dedicated service with the MTA.

A Win for Transit Workers: Expedited Centers for MTA Employees

APRIL 16 — The MTA announced on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, a new COVID-19 testing program for transit workers mirroring the initiative the city launched for police and firefighters earlier in the week. The MTA will forward the names of workers with COVID-19 symptoms to Northwell Health facilities so they can be tested. The testing will begin tomorrow, Friday. Below is the statement released by Local 100 President Utano on the announcement, followed by the Daily News article and information the MTA released on the program.

President Utano: “On one hand it’s good news. Transit workers, police officers and other essential workers need and deserve expedited testing. But on the other hand, it required a lot of agitation and advocacy by workers and unions like TWU Local 100 to make it happen. Why the wealthiest country in the world couldn’t quickly get the necessary testing is something someone will have to answer to at some point. The NY Daily News reports on Coronavirus testing for transit workers with an initiative mirroring program for cops and firefighters.”

More Information on Testing from the MTA:
Under the new partnership, Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care will provide priority testing to symptomatic transportation workers a rate of up to 50 tests per day or 350 per week. The partnership between the MTA and Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care is similar to the partnership the organization has with the NYPD and FDNY. The agreement expands the range of options available to MTA employees, who are still able to go to their primary care physician or other medical provider at no cost to the employee.

Northwell Health-GoHealth will be reaching out to MTA workers who have identified themselves as symptomatic to the MTA COVID-19 hotline and arranging appointments for a range of comprehensive medical exams and diagnostic tests, including testing for COVID-19 beginning Friday, April 17.

Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care locations are located at 52 locations throughout the region and are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
For more information, go to: www.Gohealthuc.com/nyc

Reporter NJ Burkett Reports on TWU Family of Hero Bus Operator Wayne Fingall

WABC Eyewitness News Reporter NJ Burkett tells the story of Bus Operator Wayne Fingall, who passed away from COVID-19 in the line of duty. His family is receiving the $500,000 benefit negotiated by the Union.

Urgent Call for Blood Donations for Ben Schaeffer, Fighting for his Life on a Ventilator

A veteran conductor once hailed a hero for his handling of an on-board emergency is fighting for his life and needs a plasma donation.

Ben Schaeffer, Local 100’s RTO Conductor Vice Chair, has COVID-19 and is on a ventilator at Maimonides Hospital. Doctors have recommended an experimental new treatment called “Convalescent Plasma.” The Blood Bank at the hospital needs blood donors who have tested positive for the coronavirus, have recovered, and have gone at least 14 days without symptoms. Ben’s blood type is A+ and he needs a matching donor or donors to come to his assistance now. The number at Maimonides for potential donors to call is 718-283-7657. If you have type A+ blood, please help your union brother.

Bus Operator John Phillip Lost to Virus

Flatbush Depot is in mourning over the loss of Bus Operator, John Phillip, 65, to the Coronavirus. He had 15 years on the job and lived in Brooklyn.

Brother Phillip was an accomplished diver and fisherman. Flatbush Chair Richard Thorn said that John “loved the the sea. He loved to fish and loved to dive. Every year he spent his vacation in the Caribbean, sailing between the islands and diving. He had already planned out his vacation this year, but it’s not to be.”