New Exec Board Members Sworn in by International President

TWU International President Harry Lombardo swore in the newly elected members of Local 100’s Executive Board Thursday morning – and called for-post election unity. Local 100 President John Samuelsen echoed those sentiments, and said that he would do everything within his power to make Local 100 a more united union. “We had a hard-fought election, no doubt about it,” Samuelsen said. “That’s to be expected. This is Local 100. It’s not kindergarten. It’s not a tea party. Everyone here in this room has earned the respect of the members and it’s my intention to honor that respect. I’m looking for a fresh start and I hope everyone in this room is looking for a fresh start.”

Local 100 is arranging for “nuts and bolts” training for newly elected officers to better prepare them to handle contract-enforcement issues, workers compensation cases and other responsibilities, Samuelsen said.

The challenges facing Local 100 include negotiating a new contract for MTA bus and subway workers. The current contract expires in January 2017.

Local 100 will launch a fight for the state Legislature to enact pension reform and rollback the higher contributions imposed on Tier Six workers.

All public-sector unions, meanwhile, face the very real possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court this year will hand down a decision making it more difficult for unions to collect dues or agency fees. The Executive Committee held a strategy meeting Wednesday, and a sweeping plan of action focusing on internal organizing and officer training is being developed, Samuelsen said.

On other fronts, contract negotiations have begun in Westchester with the county and Liberty Lines. The last contract was reached only after very contentious negotiations and the threat of a strike. Local 100 will be ready to take such militant action if necessary, he said.

“If you fight back, you may not win every time,” Samuelsen said. “But if you don’t fight back, you will lose every time.”