TWU Supporting Governor's Penn Station Overhaul
As Governor Cuomo prepared to unveil a new $3 billion plan to transform Penn Station into a state-of-the-art transportation hub, Local 100 President John Samuelsen was among the labor leaders invited to attend. We also sent a contingent of transit workers, taking their place with building trades members to show unified support for this key element of economic development for New York State.
The Governor's plan is flexible, but would include linking the Farley Post Office with Penn Station to create additional capacity for transit and a new, bright, illuminated look for the transit hub. In a statement to the media, President Samuelsen said: “It was an honor to stand with Gov. Cuomo today to show our wholehearted support for his vision for the new Empire State Station on the site of the current Penn Station. A modern, well funded transportation network is vital to our City’s economic development and societal mobility. The positive, cascading economic effects of the new Empire State Station will be tremendous. Every dollar invested in public transit pays massive dividends for society. A new Empire State Station will bring up real estate values, expand the economy, put more money into the city’s coffers and more money in working families’ pockets. Gov. Cuomo’s initiative shows real leadership. It’s good for the economy. It’s good for transit workers. And it’s good for all New Yorkers."
President Samuelsen and Local 100 members posed for a group shot immediately after the press conference and roll-out of the transportation plan.