TWU rank and file crowded the halls in Albany's legislative offices last Tuesday, seeking to push our transit agenda as budget negotiations come down to the wire between the two houses and the Governor. Key for TWU Local 100 is firming up an allocation of $100 million for Bus Rapid Transit, which would include two new routes from Sunset Park to JFK and East Harlem to Co-Op City. That would give faster access to 40,000 jobs for residents, including many low-income workers, as well as creating 241 brand TWU new Local 100 jobs. Another key objective was to get the Veteran's Equality Act -- the ability to buy back pension credit for veterans -- spearheaded by Local 100, into the budget.
The Union's reception for legislators brought out the most powerful men and women in the chamber, including newly-elected Speaker Carl Heastie, to talk with TWU leadership in a relaxed gathering before the official start of Lobby Day. President Samuelsen and top officers greeted members coming off dozens of buses into the Empire State Plaza concourse in what has become a Lobby Day tradition, before addressing the 1,300 assembled members in the convention center auditorium. Samuelsen made special mention of the anger transit workers feel over the unjust Vision Zero law, that has been criminalizing the lawful operation of buses. Many legislators spoke directly to this issue at the podium and assured TWU members that the law had been misinterpreted and should be corrected. TWU Local 100 Political Action Director Marvin Holland thanked the rank and file for putting muscle behind our fight, noting the great importance of Local 100 members making the trip up to Albany to directly lobby NYS legislators.
After the presentations and speeches, members thronged the hallways of the Legislative Office Building, meeting with legislators and pushing Local 100's agenda forward. Each member carried a packet containing the union's legislative agenda and information about the legislators they were going to see. Each member had documents to prep them about our key issues, and effectively spoke for their own concerns and from experience as transit workers. The day was a big success, but the work will continue in legislative follow-up visits throughout the five boroughs. Watch our website for ways to get involved to hammer home the TWU agenda for more jobs, better workplace protections, Veterans pension benefits and a stake in growing New York's economy through Bus Rapid Transit.
