Union Issues Statement on MTA Warnings of Layoffs

AUGUST 26 -- Statement from Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Tony Utano on the MTA warnings that layoffs are possible because the federal government has failed to provide emergency transit funding:

TWU Local 100 will fight tooth and nail against layoffs.

Transit workers put this city and state on their backs and carried them through the deadly pandemic, risking their own health and lives. Thousands became sick and more than 131 of us died. Layoffs would be an unimaginable shameful betrayal.

The MTA has other options, including: giving all capital construction work to in-house transit workers, not profiteering private construction companies; getting rid of all high-priced consultants and lawyers; have in-house workers take over all cleaning and disinfecting functions not already taken back from private contractors; restoring subway service between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.; and offering early retirement incentives.