The Transport Workers Union of America – which represents tens of thousands of transit workers across the country – strongly supports the nomination of Marc Molinaro to lead the Federal Transit Administration.
“Marc Molinaro was a strong advocate for public transit in downstate New York while serving in Congress, and his experience will be essential for navigating transit issues nationwide,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “He has demonstrated a willingness to work with everyone – including trade unions – and he understands the challenges and issues the FTA will face. The TWU strongly supports Marc Molinaro’s nomination and urges his swift confirmation.”
Molinaro defended existing federal transit worker protections while in Congress from 2023 to 2025, arguing that the current rules enabled more productive contract negotiations with TWU members in New York while he served as the County Executive of Dutchess County. He said in congressional hearings that efforts to gut a section of federal law known as 13c were “offensive” because they ultimately seek to cut jobs in favor of increased automation.
In addition to transit efforts, Molinaro fought for airline workers. He introduced legislation that would create global safety standards for U.S. aircraft repairs to prevent airlines from sending aircraft maintenance jobs to foreign countries and eventually got the legislation signed into law as part of the FAA reauthorization.
The TWU worked extensively with Molinaro during his time in Congress as the union includes tens of thousands of transit and rail workers in New York State who work for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
From Michigan comes the sad news that one of the few remaining Tuskegee Airmen, Lt. Col. Harry Stewart, Jr. has died. He shared membership in that elite club with 12 other Black men, who came to NYC Transit after serving in World War II.
TWU Local 100 Interim President John Chiarello, honoring their legacy as part of Black History Month, said, “When our country needed fighters and pilots during World War II, the brave Tuskegee Airmen stepped up. They compiled an outstanding record of downing Nazi fighters in some of the most heroic battles of the war. But then they faced discrimination at home. TWU Local 100 stood up for the rights of Black transit workers to enjoy the same opportunities as White workers – and those included 12 of the Tuskegee Airmen who came back to start careers in transit. This month we honor them and their legacy will always live at the Tuskegee Airmen Depot in Harlem.”
Twelve members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators in the U.S. Armed Forces, found a safe landing zone in New York City Transit and Local 100 after World War II. Six of the intrepid group of 12 airmen made careers in transit, while the others worked in the subways for a number of years while putting themselves through college and law school. All of them are believed to have passed away.
On March 23 of 2012, their legacy was recognized by the renaming of the 100th Street depot on Lexington Avenue to the Tuskegee Airmen Bus Depot. A well-attended ceremony took place on the spacious 4th deck of the state-of-the-art facility, which was fully rebuilt in 2003. Then Local 100 President John Samuelsen, MABSTOA Vice President Brian Clarke, and other officers and a host of rank and file operators and maintainers, attended. Also present were scores of former Tuskegee Airmen and family members, along with then MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota and NYCT President Tom Prendergast. Two of the original 12 were alive at the time of the Depot re-dedication.
At the event, Reginald T. Brewster, 94, a retired attorney who worked for transit as a Railroad Clerk while attending Fordham University, delivered a stirring recollection of the groups’ challenges in the air against Hitler’s Luftwaffe, and on the ground against mistrust and discrimination. The other living transit member of the group, Noel Harris, was ill and could not attend.
In his remarks, President Samuelsen credited the battle waged by TWU’s early leaders against discrimination in the workplace for “creating a culture of acceptance and equal opportunity for all workers at New York City Transit that enabled the 12 members of the Tuskegee Airmen and so many other African Americans to find employment on the buses and subways at a time when bigotry and in- equality ran rampant in most American workplaces.
“Since our union’s founding in 1934, the hallmark of TWU Local 100 has been fighting discrimination, breaking down barriers and assuring equal opportunity for all workers,” he said. “Like Local 100, the Tuskegee Airmen were about fighting for recognition, for equality and breaking down the barriers that existed for African Americans in the Armed Services and across America in employment, housing, access to loans and so many other things most Americans took for granted.”
A 5-foot high plaque, engraved with the names of the 12, was placed on the depot wall that day. It reads: “We honor the service, sacrifice, and achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen in the face of extreme adversity. In this depot, their spirit still soars.”
We are proud of the legacy left to Local 100 by the Tuskegee Airmen, and proud to have a depot named for these heroes.
JANUARY 30 – TWU Local 100 Interim President John V. Chiarello announced today that TWU Local 100 would match the reward offered by NYPD Crime Stoppers for information leading to the apprehension of the six unidentified men who took a R Train on a joyride last weekend. The Union will pay up to $3,500 for the information, matching the Crime Stoppers reward.
Images of the six men on platforms and entering the transit system were released today by Crime Stoppers. They NYPD announcement noted that the six individuals “caused damage to glass panels on the train,” but this was the least of it, Mr. Chiarello said.
“A bunch of reckless teens took a $20 million piece of equipment out of a secure transit layup area, endangering themselves, transit property, and transit workers who may well have been working on the tracks,” he said. “I’m outraged that this theft occurred and determined to stop copycats.”
“Train crews and riders are vulnerable to exploits like this and we have to send the message that anyone occupying and operating a train who is not a transit employee will be tracked down and punished to the full extent of the law,” Chiarello said.
The Union is also putting up the images and the reward on all of our social media channels, Chiarello said, as he called on members of the Union to be vigilant and to call in any tips or sightings to 800-577-TIPS.
JANUARY 30 – Willie Joe Kirkland, a Bus Operator with 25 years of service with NYC Transit, passed away on Monday, January 27th. He was 84 years old and operated the M15 bus in Manhattan in the 70’s and 80’s.
His daughter, TWU Local 100 Safety Director and Power Cable Maintainer Celeste Kirkland said, “I loved my father, and he loved me. Everyone said I walked like him, talked like him.”
Brother Kirkland was on a ventilator which was removed shortly before Celeste visited him at a hospital in South Carolina. They had three days together filled with love and laughter before he passed away.
In addition to his career in NYC Transit, he also was a tour bus and trolley operator, and worked as a wedding photographer. He was a man of faith and enjoyed sharing his knowledge of scripture. Willie Joe joined st Matthew's Church and served his community by teaching Sunday school.
Willie Joe Kirkland was admired by many. His memory will live on in the hearts of his family and all who knew him.
A Funeral Service will take place tomorrow, Friday, January 31 at St. Matthews Baptist Church in Ridgeland, SC, with the viewing at 10AM and the Service at 11AM.
JANUARY 28 – TWU Founder Mike Quill died 59 years ago today. He was only 60 years old.
He had his first heart attack in the Civil Jail on West 37th Street, after being arrested by detectives while leading TWU negotiations at the Americana Hotel -- because he refused to end the strike he called on New Year’s Day, 1966. 12 days later the strike was won by the TWU and Quill was released from custody. He suffered a second heart attack on January 28th, 1966, this time fatal. His physician said that Quill died from overwork, and transit workers knew that he gave his life for the cause of labor.
JANUARY 28 -- Last weekend, three young men gained access to an R160 train in Queens and took it on a joyride, hitting 30 MPH according to their own video, which was posted on Instagram. These are new technology trains which TWU Local 100 has warned New York City Transit are vulnerable to break-ins.
In January of 2024 – a year ago -- New York City Transit committed to “a simple and fast solution that we can implement in weeks, not months or years” [The City, “Transit Workers Say MTA to Slow to Protect Subway Cabs, Dec 9, 2024.]
The union announced this week that Richard Davis has resigned from his position as President of TWU Local 100. In his resignation letter, Mr. Davis cited health reasons for his departure.
After consulting with our attorneys, the Union can now officially share the following information:
TWU International President John Samuelsen suspended Mr. Davis upon learning of accusations of alleged sexual misconduct. In connection with those allegations, the International Union filed internal charges against Mr. Davis.
Our public restraint regarding this matter stems from the potentially serious legal ramifications and privacy concerns for the accuser—rather than any conspiracy theories to conceal the truth from you.
It is important to know the elected leadership is in control of Local 100. We continue to operate autonomously and with the full support and partnership of our International, the Transport Workers Union of America.
Local 100’s Executive Committee, consisting of the top Officers and all Department Vice Presidents, has unanimously voted that John V. Chiarello, the elected Financial Secretary-Treasurer, will oversee the Local’s day-to-day affairs on an interim basis.
We are now moving forward and laser focused on upholding the great legacy of this proud Union, restoring confidence within our membership, and re-centering “fightback” as the leadership mantra of Local 100.
In accordance with our bylaws, our Executive Board will appoint a President at its next scheduled meeting in February.
JANUARY 22 -- The early morning fire at 2910 Wallace Ave in the Allerton section of the Bronx has forced two transit families from their homes. Michelle Ramirez, head of our Women and Family Assistance Committee, is asking for prayers and help for Union sister Nicolet Seymour, who lived there with her family. She is a CTA with five years' service with New York City Transit. This is the same fire that burned out the home of Tower Operator Jewelene Scott-Fernandez.
Nicolet writes: On January 10th, 2025, the unexpected happened. A 5-alarm fire tore through our 6-story apartment building, completely taking with it the roof, the 6th & 5th floors. The remaining floors are flooded with extensive water damage, and quite a few ceilings have collapsed. The building has been deemed condemned. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. We are unable to return to the building to see if any items can be retrieved due to the ongoing investigation by FDNY, NYPD, & the building inspectors.
JANUARY 17 -- TWU Local 100 MTA Bus Vice President Danny D'Amato, Division Chair Mike Capocci, Yonkers Depot Chair Marcus Soler and TWU Safety Team members Joseph DiPaola and Jamie Ayuso responded to a bus incident in Riverdale today involving a BXM1 which had impinged on the stone wall over the Henry Hudson Parkway at approximately 8:40 AM.
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