Samuelsen Wins Re-Election as President of TWU Local 100; Rest of Top Officers Also Elected on “Stand United” Slate.

Top Four: Samuelsen, Giboyeaux, Crisp-Sauray, and Phillips
Top Four: Samuelsen, Giboyeaux, Crisp-Sauray, and Phillips

Transit workers have re-elected Local 100 President John Samuelsen to a second three-year term in overwhelming fashion.  The vast majority of Samuelsen’s STAND UNITED Slate, including Secretary Treasurer Earl Phillips, Administrative Vice President Angel Giboyeaux and Recording Secretary Latonya Crisp-Sauray, a newcomer to the ticket, were elected as well.  

STAND UNITED candidates were victorious in 6 of the 7 races for Vice President including Tony Utano (Maintenance of Way); Brian Clarke (MABSTOA); Kevin Harrington (RTO); Maurice Jenkins (Stations); John Day (MTA Bus/PBL), and J.P. Patafio (TA Surface).  Nelson Rivera from the Transport Workers United slate won in the Car Equipment Division.

Ballots were opened at the American Arbitration Association, and winners were announced at about 4:30 PM on Friday, December 7th. Transit Workers resoundingly re-elected John Samuelsen as President, by a tally of 7152 to 4975 for his opponent, Joe Campbell, and 351 for independent candidate Michael Cordero. Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips was re-elected by a vote of 6854 to 5002 for his closest opponent, Liz Rodriguez, as was Administrative Vice President Angel Giboyeaux, who polled 6898 votes against 4809 for Eddie McLeod. A new addition to Mr. Samuelsen’s team, Tonya Crisp-Sauray, was elected with 6796 votes against her rival, Michael Staton, who received 4873 votes.

 In a victory speech near the Union Hall in midtown Manhattan, Samuelsen thanked transit workers for their “tremendous show of support.” He added that the win is a “validation” that the members “wholeheartedly support our determination to resist the concessions agreed to by state unions, and to continue to negotiate beyond the expiration of our current agreement without the drama of unnecessary deadlines that could lead to another strike.”

Samuelsen added: "I believe this decisive vote sends a powerful message to the MTA and Governor Cuomo that transit workers stand behind me and my team to win a fair contract, and that should good faith negotiations fail to produce the desired results, the membership stands strong behind their union no matter what direction we may be forced to take."

Read the full set of election results here.