TWU Local 100 WANTS YOU!
FEBRUARY 3,2021 -- Local 100 President Tony Utano convened a strategy meeting today with more than 20 MTA union presidents, vice presidents, and staffers, to make making spitting at transit workers, along with other types of physical contact, a crime.
The MTA labor coalition agreed to embark on a series of actions, including direct outreach by union presidents to influential members of the New York State Senate and Assembly; establishing an easy way for union members to contact legislators via email and telephone; securing free media coverage; and taking out ads in regional and local publications. We will be sending out information on how you can participate in the near future. The MTA’s Government Affairs office also participated in the Zoom call.
The Governor’s budget proposal includes a penal code amendment elevating spitting on a transit worker from a violation, which is equivalent to a mere parking ticket, to misdemeanor aggravated harassment, which is punishable by up to a year in jail. The amendment would also make other forms of physical contact, such as a slap, a shove, or a kick, aggravated harassment. Right now, police have to witness some types of assault, like spitting, to take any enforcement action. The law must be changed to establish real consequences and a deterrent effect. Finally, the bill would add more job titles and work descriptions to the existing law that makes it a felony to assault and cause physical injury to a transit worker. It would broaden the group of workers covered to include station customer assistants, anyone involved in fare media sales, maintenance, inspections and other tasks.
If you want to participate in this campaign, email us at: communications@twulocal100.org. Provide your name, title, cell phone, and let us know if you’ve been a victim of the abuse described above.
The following union presidents participated in the meeting with Local 100 President Tony Utano: Danny Cassella, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 726; Edward Valente, General Chairman, Association of Commuter Rail Employees (Metro-North); Mark Henry, ATU Local 1056; Vincent Modafferi, TWU Local 106; Michael Cordiello, ATU Local 1181; Mike Carrube, Subway Surface Supervisors Association; Jose DeJesus, ATU Local 1179; and Anthony Simon, General Chairman, Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation Workers Association (SMART) (LIRR).