Richard Davis, Local 100's Third Black President, Sets Course of Empowerment

Black power has found a champion in TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis. He spared no effort in guaranteeing that our annual Black History celebration on February 22nd would be the biggest in our history.

Throughout the evening, videos produced by TWU Local 100 Communications documented the proud history of our Union in fighting for civil rights – and the courage and commitment shown by trail-blazing Black Union officers across the years.
 

Union Partners with Riders Alliance to Seek $300M Boost to MTA Budget

FEBRUARY 22 -- Standing outside Grand Central Station with a coalition that included the Riders Alliance, Transportation Alternatives, and the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis condemned the MTA's recent move to cut morning service on seven subway lines beginning in June. "We will not stand for service cuts -- and how can we get to a six-minute headway if they're going to cut service?," he said. "How are they going to fix the Second Avenue subway with service cuts? That will never happen."

Member Driven: Local 100 Team Collecting Contract Demands/Concerns from Members

A new Local 100 outreach team is surveying members across the transit system in preparation for contract negotiations later this year.

The Rapid Response team, formed at the direction of Local 100 President Richard Davis, so far has visited dozens of bus and subway locations. At each stop, union reps ask members to rank their contract priorities. But the reps also sit down with members for one-on-one discussions about their issues and concerns.

“It’s positive and encouraging,” Train Operator Robert Negron said recently after talking with union Rep. Kristian Magwood. “They get to hear what we want…and what’s going on out here in the field. We get to give our input.” Train Operator Fidel Gomez agreed. “Sometimes you see a lot of union people when there are elections coming up, so it’s good to see them coming around when it’s not election time,” Gomez said. “It’s a good thing.”

In Case You Missed It: Past President Tony Utano Recaps Departmental Victories in 2022

As part of his presentation to the Mass Membership meeting, past President Tony Utano recapped Departmental victories in 2022.

NBC News Covers Court Appearance of Banker who Assaulted Train Operator

Watch NBC-TV's coverage of Wednesday's court appearance of Jean-Francois Coste, accused of assaulting Train Operator Tanya McCray at Stillwell Terminal.

CTA Nelson's Assailant Remanded to Bellevue; Judged Unfit for Trial

FEBRUARY 9 -- A panel of doctors appointed by a Bronx judge found Alexander Wright, accused in the brutal assault of CTA Anthony Nelson, unfit for trial and remanded him to Bellevue Hospital for psychiatric treatment. The latest turn in the case against Wright was greeted with dismay by Nelson's family and co-workers in the Stations Department who turned out in numbers at the Bronx Hall of Justice.

Nelson had his collarbone and nose broken, and his arm injured in the assault back on August 11th at the Pelham Bay Station on the 6 Line. He came to aid riders who were being harassed by Wright, who then assaulted him. Wright had more than 40 arrests at the time, and MTA CEO Janno Lieber called for him to be banned from the transit system.

At today's court support, Brother Nelson spoke of the importance of unity and all transit workers standing together to make our voices heard on the issue of assaults. MTA Senior VP Frank Annicaro, attending at the request of NYCT President Richard Davey, said of Nelson, "Doing what's right is the right thing to do, and Anthony showed that. We're here to support him. We want to thank [him] for representing the MTA."

"Two court-appointed doctors examined the defendant and found him unfit to proceed to trial," Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said in a statement. "Justice Morales remanded the defendant to a psychiatric facility until he is deemed fit to stand trial."

Big Show of Support for Assaulted Train Operator

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2022 -- Nearly 100 union members packed a Brooklyn courtroom this morning as an investment banker charged with punching Train Operator Tanya McCray in the face multiple times was arraigned. It was standing-room only in the courtroom as defendant Jean-Francois Coste, hiding his face behind a surgical mask, entered a not-guilty plea on felony assault charges.

Transport Workers Union Local 100’s strong show of support brought tears to McCray’s eyes.  “I just want to thank all my union co-workers for being out here and supporting me,” McCray said after the court hearing. “The love has been overwhelming. I’m overwhelmed from the joy of my co-workers supporting me.”

RTO Vice President Canella Gomez called on Brooklyn prosecutors to throw the book at Coste, who was arrested by police shortly after the Dec. 16 attack in the Stillwell Ave. terminal station in Coney Island.

“It’s important to set an example with this guy, to let city know, and the public know, it’s not okay to assault transit workers,” Gomez said.

Black History Celebration Set for Feb 22 at the Union Hall

Every year, your Union celebrates Black History Month with a dinner and entertainment at the Union Hall. This year, the event is on February 22, and we expect a great evening for all. Click here to register. Members in good standing only, plus your guest.

Click here to download the flyer.

New Contract Survey Out -- Union Members Asked to Complete It Now

Brothers and Sisters --

We are preparing for contract negotiations with the MTA and are gathering information from you, the membership. Officers and representatives in our newly formed Rapid Response team are conducting outreach and interviews in the field. They have surveys and are listening to what you have to say about your work issues.

Union officers also are being provided surveys for you to complete. Surveys are also available at union meetings and on the TWU Local 100 website: twulocal100.org

We understand that there are third-party surveys circulating - and ask that you complete the official TWU Local 100 survey.

Please fill out the survey by clicking on the image at left, or at this link.

All responses are confidential to TWU Local 100 leadership.

Thank you for your participation.

Union Statement on Mass Transit Funding in NY State Budget

Feb. 1, 2023 -- TWU Local 100 will fight the MTA if it tries to balance its budget on the backs of transit workers, TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis said today.

MTA budget plans include some $400 million in savings through “efficiencies.”

“We don’t know yet what the MTA means by ‘efficiencies,’ but we will fight any effort to balance the budget on the backs of transit workers,” Davis said in a statement. “We kept the bus and subway system running through the pandemic, and that must be fully recognized.”

MTA finances were a central focus of the New York State financial plan that Gov. Hochul unveiled in Albany earlier today. Hochul proposed a slight increase in a business tax to generate $800 million in additional revenues for mass transit. She is also looking to the city to provide another $500 million.

“This is a great first step,” Davis said. “It’s a clear recognition by Gov. Hochul that the bus and subway system is essential, and government has the responsibility to provide the necessary funding. We also agree with her 100% that service cuts must be avoided.”

President Davis Presides Over Jam-Packed Mass Membership Meeting; Talks About the Contract, Unity, and the Focus On Members

Screw the budget gaps!

Speaking at the jam-packed Mass Membership Meeting in Manhattan on Saturday, Local 100 President Richard Davis vowed the MTA won’t get off easy in upcoming contract negotiations by crying poverty - again.

“The MTA says they have massive budget gaps,” Davis said. “I say, screw their budget gaps! We worked through the pandemic! And that needs to be recognized!”

The negotiations could be among the most difficult ever. “We have to be united,” Davis said. “No divisions! One union, with one voice, and one fist!”

More than 1,500 members attended the gathering at the Sheraton Hotel near Times Square. In a strong sign of respect and support, Mayor Eric Adams made time in his busy schedule to attend and speak to the members. He is the first mayor to attend a Mass Membership Meeting. TWU International President John Samuelsen also was a guest speaker. He promised the International would back the Local one-hundred percent during negotiations, providing resources, expertise, and other assistance.

The over-arching theme was “Member Built, Member Strong, Member Driven.”

Member Built: TWU was organized by subway workers in the depths of the Great Depression when workers toiled 7 days a week for poverty wages – without overtime, healthcare, vacations, or pensions.

Member Strong: Local 100 has more than 42,000 members. We operate and maintain the largest transit system in North America. We also have members in the school bus, private bus, and tourism industries.

Member Driven: The top priority is the membership. The focus is on the membership.

“TWU is a great union, not just because of what we do, or our size, but because of who we are as individuals,” Davis said after introducing a video featuring “some of our outstanding members.” Click this link to watch the video.

Members featured in the video received certificates of appreciation, including Tonya Thompson, a Bronx Bus Operator and a cancer survivor. Thompson is a leading volunteer organizer and fundraiser for breast cancer awareness and research. “It felt amazing to be recognized by my Union for all the hard work I’ve put in over the years,” she said. “Simply a wonderful day."

Executive Board Statement Against Violence and Intimidation

The TWU Local 100 Executive Board has approved a statement against intimidation, harassment, or violence against any union member or officer. You can read it here.

Contract Bargaining Training Held as Union Gets Ready for the Big Fight

Dozens of officers participated in three days of contract negotiation training to prepare for the looming battle with the MTA.

The program featured expert instruction on topics such as the legal parameters of public sector bargaining, preparing for negotiations, membership engagement, developing proposals and using leverage to achieve goals. Officers also broke into labor and management teams to conduct mock negotiating sessions. Veterans sat shoulder-to-shoulder with younger up-and-coming officers, passing along knowledge gained from decades of experience and sharing ideas.

In addition, directors of Local 100 departments - Organizing, Member Services, Grievance and Discipline, Political Action, Safety, and Communications - gave presentations on department activities, data, goals, and strategies that could be deployed during different stages of the contract campaign.

“We’re about to enter one of the most difficult contract negotiations of all time,” Local 100 President Richard Davis said. “The MTA says it has unprecedented budget deficits and is warning of doomsday scenarios with service cuts and steep fare hikes. City Hall has ordered up three rounds of budget cuts already. Some big private companies are laying off thousands of workers. We’re going to have to fight like hell and must be prepared. That’s what these last three days have been all about, getting prepared.”

A new Rapid Response Organizing Committee will start going to work locations next week to begin one-on-one discussions with members to hear about their issues and concerns.

The training was conducted over three days ending Friday, Jan. 13. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, one of the most powerful politicians in the state, came to meet with President Davis and share a few words with the officers participating in the training. It turned into a mini-pep rally with the Speaker leading a chant of “Union!”

“You are here to be trained,” she said. “You’re here to understand how this is supposed to work. And the reality is, it is going to work, because you have in your hearts and minds the best interest of the people you represent, period. If you come with that attitude, it will work, understanding that you set the tone. You set the bar for how labor rolls.”

Also coming by to support the Union were NY State Senator Shelley Mayer (D-Yonkers) and Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

The Local 100 contract with the MTA expires May 16.

Pres. Davis Joins Nurses on Strike to Pledge Our Support

TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis joined thousands of striking nurses on a picket line and pledged Local 100’s support in their struggle for a fair contract.

Speaking outside Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, Davis said transit workers know first-hand how vital nurses are to city residents in medical crisis. Transit workers brought nurses and other hospital staffers to their posts by bus and subway during the dark days of the pandemic. Like transit workers, nurses were too essential to stay at home.

“On behalf of Local 100, we stand in solidarity with you, and we will make sure we fight for you,” Davis said. “Yes, we can! Sí se puede!”

Thousands of nurses, members of the New York Nurses Association, walked off the job at 6 a.m. Monday at Mount Sinai and three campuses of the Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. The nurses’ demands include “safe staffing.” Hospitals have not hired enough nurses to properly handle the volume of patients. As a result, nurses are overworked and stressed-out. Patients are receiving sub-standard care, nurses say.

Nurses on the picket said they appreciated Local 100’s support, just as they appreciated the service transit workers provided during the pandemic.

“Without transit, without the crosstown bus, I wouldn’t have been able to get to work,” a surgical ICU nurse with 25 years on the job said.

Fighting MTA Service Cuts: Sign the Petition

Local 100 President Richard Davis attacks the MTA for planning to cut subway service in an Op-Ed published today by the New York Daily News. In the piece, Davis says service cuts will force riders to wait longer for trains, experience more crowding, and lead to more anger and frustration being directed at transit workers.

He also says it’s “ridiculous” for transit management to claim that the service reductions “reflect what our customers are asking for.” In the history of mass transit, no one ever asked for less service and more crowded conditions.

You can read the Op-Ed here.

Click here to Sign the Petition