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Introducing our New Website: www.trashtrain.net

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NYCT has cut 79 Cleaner positions -- not by layoff, but by attrition. The result? Subway cars are getting dirtier as ridership increases. So we have started a contest, to get New Yorkers involved, and to tell the MTA to reverse course. Visitors to the site can upload their photos of the worst trash that they have seen subway cars -- and we'll put the photos to a vote. The winner gets $500 on November 30. Read the contest rules here.

If the MTA wants to save money, they should cut consultants, not service.

Utano Calls for MTA Chairman Pat Foye to Step Aside from Contract Negotiations

MTA Chairman Pat Foye is a bigot and a liar.
 
After portraying transit workers as time and overtime cheats, and posting cops in the work place like jail guards, multi-millionaire Foye has used ugly anti-Italian stereotypes - and more lies  - to accuse Local 100 President Tony Utano of fraud. This latest attack came in an email that Foye sent to Utano over the Columbus Day weekend and was later leaked to the press.
 
It was a despicable attempt to weaken the union and dirty the reputations of the Local 100 president, the union and our membership during contract negotiations. Utano is calling on Foye to step aside and recuse himself from contract negotiations. His actions suggest he has become unhinged and is incapable of reaching a fair agreement for transit workers. TWU Local is now releasing Utano's email response to Foye:
 
Chairman Foye,
 
Have you completely lost your mind? I've been involved in contract negotiations with the MTA as a union officer for more than 30 years, and I've never - ever - seen anything like the email you sent me over the weekend. It's so packed with lies, so slanderous, so devoid of reality and so bizarre that it appears you have become unhinged and are cracking under pressure. I question your ability to negotiate a fair contract for transit workers. 
 
It's clearly no coincidence that you accuse me of somehow being involved in a corrupt "scam" in an email sent on Columbus Day weekend, and that you end your screed with the line, "Have a peaceful Columbus Day." I'm the proud son of Italian immigrants. I'm all too familiar with ugly, anti-Italian stereotypes. You should be ashamed of yourself for going down that road. I want to make it crystal clear to you that we will never agree to any proposal that undermines the health benefits transit workers are entitled to, and no amount of lies and distortions you come up with will change that.
 
As you well know, PayerMatrix came to MTA headquarters at your invitation to make an informational presentation. At the meeting you convened, the company explained how it could achieve significant prescription drug savings without diminishing the health benefits of transit workers. The concept is based on raw numbers and has nothing to do with race or immigration. The means test, as you well know, covers 100 percent of the hourly employees, based on 40 hours. The few who earn above that amount by grueling hours of overtime are automatically covered by the current plan.  There is nothing racist, or corrupt or anti-immigrant about it. It is math.You are simply lying when you describe the company as "highly compensated, out of town Local 100 consultants." And describing this routine informational presentation as "The Utano Specialty Drug Scam," is outrageous, despicable and bizarre. 
 
We remain committed to negotiating with management a fair contract for our members. You, however, should remove your self from the situation and send someone else to the negotiating table. You do not seem up to the task. By the way, you can send this letter to the Inspector General too.
 
Tony Utano, President, Transport Workers Union Local 100

 

Hundreds of Chinese-American Transit Workers Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival in Sunset Park

Mid-Autumn Festival 2019

OCTOBER 11 -- Chinese-American transit workers crowded a venue in Sunset Park for our fifth annual Mid-Autumn Festival celebrating Chinese culture and heritage. Amid many courses of excellent food, union officers and rank and file were treated to an evening of traditional dancing capped off by karaoke, at which our members excel. On hand to enjoy the evening were political leaders including State Senator John Liu, Assemblyman Peter Abbate, and District Leader Nancy Tong. Scroll through the photos by clicking on the handles at right and left.

 

We March at the Korean Parade and Festival 2019

Korean Parade 2019

OCTOBER 5 -- Our Union leadership proudly marched with over a hundred Korean-American transit workers at the annual Korean Parade and Festival in midtown. View the photos by clicking on the handles.

Russian Day Celebrated in Brighton Beach

Russian Day 2019

OCTOBER 6 -- Russian-American transit workers crowded Tatiana's Restaurant on the Brighton Beach boardwalk in an exuberant celebration with plenty of food, drink, and entertainment. President Utano and top leadership including Admin VP Nelson Rivera and CED VP Shirley Martin -- whose department has hundreds of Russian-American workers -- RTO VP Eric Loegel, MOW VP John V. Chiarello, and TAS VP JP Patafio. Political leaders who attended included Assemblymembers Mathylde Frontus, Steven Cymbrowitz, and Peter Abbate. Also on hand were Councilmember Mark Treyger, who pledged to stand with the TWU in our contract fight, and Ari Kagan, representing City Comptroller Scott Stringer. To see all the photos, just click on the handles to the right and left.

Union Expands Contract Campaign to ESPN Radio

Local 100 began running 60-second spots on ESPN radio, 98.7 FM on October 3rd, blasting the MTA for its do-nothing attitude toward worker assaults; its plans to cut jobs and service, and its bloated outside consultants spending. The spot also urges transit workers to turn out for the union's October 30th rally outside 2 Broadway at 5:00pm. The spots are running throughout the day on all ESPN's popular shows, including Golic & Wingo; Chris Canty and Rick DiPietro; the Stephen A. Smith Show, and the Michael Kay show. Here is an aircheck of the spot from yesterday. The union's media campaign also includes spots on 1010 WINS, 880 CBS, WBLS, and cable news television stations.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Kicks Off at Union Hall

Breast Cancer Awareness Kickoff

OCTOBER 1 -- Local 100 Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp wore a bright pink ensemble to welcome union officers and rank and file members to our kickoff event for breast cancer awareness month. Our fund drive, organized by Bronx Bus Operator Tonya Thompson, is now in full gear and members are invited to donate and walk for the American Cancer Society on October 20th in Orchard Beach, the Bronx. The annual event raises awareness and funds for breast cancer patients in the New York area, including free or reduced accommodations for families whose loved ones are facing cancer treatment. President Tony Utano welcomed American Cancer Society Community Development Manager Nitisha Moore and Senior Manager of Community Development Robert Fox to the union's kickoff. Administrative Vice President Nelson Rivera, who is battling lung cancer, shared at the event, as did President Utano, whose mother suffered from breast cancer. For more information, go to the union's page for donations here.

Lemon Wins Train Operator Election

SEPTEMBER 30 -- In an election conducted to fill the vacancy for Vice Chair of Train Operators in A Division, Curtis Lemon bested two challengers to win with 100 votes. Lemon, a Train Operator for more than ten years, has been a Shop Steward and also served on the Local 100 Executive Board from 2016 to 2018. Brother Lemon takes on the duties formerly performed by Leonard Goody, who took a promotion to a supervisory title. Congratulations Curtis!

14th Indian Day Brings Hundreds to Celebrate in Queens

Indian Day 2019

SEPTEMBER 28 -- Union members packed the IBEW hall in Queens to celebrate their Indian-American heritage for the 14th consecutive TWU Local 100 Indian Day. Honorees included State Senators Kevin Thomas, New York's first Indian-born Senator, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, and Councilman Donovan Richards. President Tony Utano began the event by paying tribute to our Indian-American transit workers, and urging everyone to attend the union's critical contract rally on October 30th at 2 Broadway. He also singled out Admin VP Nelson Rivera for special recognition. Entertainment was provided by Neel & Neeta, with Bollywood dance numbers by Anil Diwakar, DPA Events and Entertainment. Great food was provided by Sitar Palace. The event was organized by our Indian Day Committee under the leadership of Executive Board Member Sam Ponnolil. Enjoy the slides of the event -- just click on the handles to advance the show.

 

1st VoTech Apprentice Class Graduates

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The first class of 25 apprentices, selected from New York City Vocational Technical Schools in 2016, has graduated after a three-year program of on-the-job learning with Local 100 veterans.  The happy grads are now working in Maintainer Titles in Elevator & Escalator, Lighting, Signals ,and Hydraulic.  Photo shows the grads holding their certificates.  Local 100 President Tony Utano, Vice Presidents John Chiarello and Eric Loegel and Division Chairs Duvet Williams (LE/S) and Steve Higgins (Power) were on hand to wish the grads well in their new transit careers.

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