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UFT Pres. Mulgrew and TWU Local 100 Pres. Samuelsen oppose cuts to student MetroCards

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:58:19 -0500

This week, Local 100 joined the teachers’ union and a legion of elected officials in defending student MetroCards. President John Samuelsen joined the UFT’s Michael Mulgrew in bringing attention to the government’s “upside down” priorities – where Wall Street bankers are given bail-outs which turn into bonuses, and school children are told they can’t have passes to ride to school.

Click on photo above for video of Samuelsen and Mulgrew

Statement of TWU Local 100 to MTA Board Regarding Recent Stories in the Daily News Regarding Health Care Contributions

dkatzman — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:22:45 -0400

For Immediate Release
July 29, 2009

Statement of TWU Local 100 to MTA Board Regarding Recent Stories in the Daily News Regarding Health Care Contributions

NEW YORK—The following statement was read into the record at today’s MTA Board Meeting. It concerns a recent series of stories – including an editorial and an op-ed by former MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow – in the Daily News about the healthcare contributions TWU Members make to the MTA:

Members of the MTA Board,

You've probably all read the Daily News reports on TA management having given TWU employees a pass on the increase in health care contributions in 2008. It is pure fiction.

First, a few simple facts. In 2008, TWU members paid more in health contributions than they did in 2007. When Peter Kalikow wrote that contributions were "waived" in 2008, he only demonstrated his own ignorance.

Second, the calculation of the amount that employees had to pay is not a matter of discretion. It is set by contract. Union employees did not see their rate of contribution increased in 2008 because the contract did not require it.

So why the sensationalism?

The contract arbitration between Local 100 and the MTA is nearing conclusion. In our negotiations for this contract, we have made no secret that we are looking for revisions of the health care contribution. We have presented data and rational arguments in support of our position. Mostly, we have offered to pay full freight on a dollar for dollar basis. We asked the arbitration panel to weigh our requests in the rational and coherent way that the law prescribes.

This sensational press campaign is an attempt to subvert that process by bringing outside pressure to bear on it. That campaign doesn't just come from the tabloids. It doesn't just come from an ex-Chair. It started in this building. Managers in this building have inexcusably tried to create a press scandal to subvert the interest arbitration process. An investigation should be conducted to look into this. Otherwise this Board will be on record for supporting the law ONLY when it is applied against its own employees. The managers in this building who are responsible should be fired.

If you want to know why there is such a history of antagonism between TWU Local 100 and the MTA, you need look no further than this incident. It is a perfect example of a culture in MTA management that condones any mistreatment of the workforce, no matter how unfair, no matter how counterproductive, no matter what rules get broken. The way you decide to treat your employees will be the very way you treat the riders. That's how this business works.

Transit workers have stood up to this in the past and we will continue to do so.

NLRB files complaint against Ardsley Bus Co.

dkatzman — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:02:16 -0400

A federal agency has filed complaints against a bus company that serves several school districts in Westchester County, claiming it has violated federal labor laws.
The claim filed this week by the the National Labor Relations Board accuses Ardsley Bus Corp. of unfair labor practices by discouraging membership in a union and failing to bargain collectively and in good faith with union representatives.

Statement Re: Ex-VP's Lawsuit

tasripin — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:17:29 -0400

A recent jury verdict in a suit brought by a former Local 100 Vice President went against Local 100. The award by the jury was immediately reduced by the judge who also noted that the jury had gone beyond the court’s instructions. The award may be further reduced once post-trial filings are decided.
In his lawsuit, former CED Vice President, Ainsley Stewart demanded to be paid regardless of when, or if, he showed up for work. Further, he demanded to be paid overtime for each day he was docked pay. This is entirely from our members’ dues money. Stewart was docked on occasions when the Local first heard from him after 10 am or after noon or not at all on a given day. In addition he was docked in a few instances when he called in “emergency” or “sick”, providing no explanation and leaving the Local hanging.

Health Care for America Now!

dkatzman — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:26:38 -0400

A busload of Local 100 members traveled to Washington on June 25 to join ten thousand other union members for a rally demanding health care reform.

Support for Public Sector Workers in Puerto Rico

dkatzman — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:24:17 -0400

More than 150 union members – including 30 TWU Local 100 members –filled the steps of New York City Hall on June 17.

The rally and press conference was held to protest Puerto Rican Governor Luis Fortuño's plan to lay off more than 30,000 government employees and suspend public-sector collective bargaining rights. Nearly 8,000 public-sector workers have already been laid off in Puerto Rico.

Justice for Iranian Workers

dkatzman — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:43:30 -0400

Four global union organizations representing over 170 million workers have called a worldwide action day on June 26 to demand justice for Iranian workers. Demonstrations will take place outside Iranian embassies and consulates to protest the ongoing denial of rights and arrests of trade unionists within the country.

The ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation) EI (Education International), ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation), IUF (International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations) are forming a coalition for the event, which is the latest move in an ongoing campaign to secure justice and trade union rights inside Iran. Amnesty International has backed this campaign.

They are calling for:-
* The immediate and unconditional release of all imprisoned trade unionists including Mansour Osanloo, Ebrahim Madadi and Farzad Kamangar;
* Unconditional recognition of all independent workers’ organisations in Iran and reinstatement of workers who have been disadvantaged as a result of their support for these organisations;
* Ratification of core ILO Conventions on freedom of association and the right to collective bargain by the Iranian government;
* Conclusion of collective bargaining agreements between the independent unions and the relevant employers.

for further information on June 26 events click visit justiceforiranianworkers.org

Sign up for Hazard Response Training

dkatzman — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:19:02 -0400

Sign up for Hazard Response Training

Waste Operations and Hazardous Emergency Response
(Response OSHA 1910.120) 20-Hour Course

This course is offered in cooperation with New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH)

It teaches about hazards and how to control and eliminate dangers in the workplace. You will be paid at your hourly rate.

Two sessions are available this Summer, July 9-11 and July 16-18.

Click here for class schedules and registration information

City Workers Say No to Layoffs, Job Cuts

tasripin — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:51:58 -0400

More than 150 City workers massed on the steps of City Hall May 26 to denounce Mayor Bloomberg’s plan to cut more than 13 thousand jobs from the municipal workforce, laying off 3,759 City workers in the process.
Ten leaders of labor organizations and four members of the City Council stood with them, calling the mayor’s plan “an attempt to break the backs of unions.”

A look at the scorecard on Dignity and Respect at Local 100

dkatzman — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:48:07 -0400

Preliminary data for 2008 shows that there has been marked progress directly affecting Local 100 members at TA/OA.