Intense Focus on Assaults Brings DA's, MTA, Unions Together

The gap between crime and punishment on the rails and on the roads seems to be narrowing. Transit workers, for years suspicious of the MTA’s and the NYPD’s resolve in following up on assault cases, should be heartened by what took place on May 10 in downtown Brooklyn. Four of New York’s District Attorneys (the fifth sent his top deputy), MTA brass including CEO Joe Lhota, and the leadership of both the TWU and the ATU had a serious discussion about the growing numbers of...

Samuelsen, TWU, Stand with Occupy Wall Street

At the conclusion of the May Day march from Union Square to Wall Street, TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen and Teamsters Local 808 Secretary-Treasurer Chris Silvera, NYC LCLAA head Sonia Ivany, George Martinez of OWS, Verizon worker Amy Muldoon and others addressed thousands of supporters.
MTA Dumps Jay Street

APRIL 25 -- Money was thrown away today as the MTA board voted unanimously to give up the Authority’s $1 a year master lease on 370 Jay Street to the City of New York. The City is giving the building to a consortium of universities, led by NYU, for a new educational facility. The cheering section for the deal, led by the Mayor and other public officials, doesn’t obscure the fact that the MTA is handing over a valuable asset – a structure that was specially built for...

NYS AFL-CIO mobilizes against Tier 6 threat

Click here to send a message: Say "NO" to Tier 6

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Midnight passes; the fight for a fair contract rolls on

The midnight expiration of the old contract found TWU Local 100 and the MTA at the bargaining table, where President Samuelsen presented specifics on our wage demands. While recognizing the fiscal challenges the MTA faces, he pointed out that transit workers face economic challenges, too.  He insisted that wages need to keep pace with inflation so we can provide for our families.

 
Rally Honors Dr. King

TWU Local 100 observed the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an emotional rally outside the Sheraton Hotel, where contract negotiations were underway.
 
Some 800 members and friends braved the bitter cold to take part.
 
A parade of speakers reflected on Dr. King’s message of justice, and urged transit workers to stand firm.
 
Pastor Michael A. Walrond Jr. of the First Corinthian Baptist Church...

CONTRACT 2012: Pres. Samuelsen Update to Members

President John Samuelsen gives an update to TWU Local 100 members about the state of negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on a new contract.
Pres. John Samuelsen speaks on the People's Mic

Dec.15 - After rallying TWU Local 100 members for the contract fight at MTA offices at 2 Broadway, President John Samuelsen led a march of Local 100 members and supporters to the birthplace of the Occupy movement. He then addressed those assembled via the People's Mic.
Local 100 members sound off on the MTA's contract demands

At our December 15 rally rank and file TWU Local 100 members declare their opposition to MTA contract demands.
TWU Supports ATU School Bus Drivers

President Samuelsen today joined ATU Local 1181 at City Hall to support that union’s fight against the lowering of standards in the school bus industry. He joined ATU Local 1181 President Mike Cordiello who warned against the use of cheap, discount bus carriers by the Department of Education. A ‘race to the bottom’ on wages and safety standards threatens both the jobs of experienced and conscientious drivers and the safety of...