TWU Local 100 | New York's Public Transit Union

All news

Rec. Sec. Shirley Martin Honored at Make the Grade Awards

DECEMBER 5—TWU Local 100 Recording Secretary Shirley Martin was honored Thursday evening for her years of dedicated union activism and mentorship at the Make the Grade Foundation's holiday gala, held at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows Park in Queens.

Sister Martin was presented with a crystal award and a proclamation by "Doctor" Bob Lee, the longtime WBLS radio host who founded Make the Grade. The foundation is a youth-focused organization made up of students, parents, teachers, community and clergy members with the goal of "edification of young minds". The award was presented at the 20th Annual Make the Grade Red Carpet Holiday Gala.

The award comes as no surprise to Local 100 members who know Sister Martin well as an inspiring speaker and mentor who has held many trail-blazing roles within the union including being the first female machinist hired in the Car Equipment Department and Car Equipment Vice President.

"Back in Jamaica, West Indies, where I come from, we used to sponsor the young kids in sports," said Martin upon recieving the award. "I didn't know when I came here that I would be more involved in this. Dr. Bob Lee, I appreciate this, and thank you so much."

Mass Membership Meeting Set for Jan. 24th

DECEMBER 4—Our Mass Membership Meeting is scheduled for January 24, 2026, and will be held at the Jacob Javits Center.

2026 is a contract year and we need to come out swinging. January's meeting will build on our strong foundation and prepare us for the fight ahead.

Just click on the image above to register. Good standing only.

Stations Dept. Mourns CTA Jose Loupadiere, 57

DECEMBER 1—CTA Jose Loupadiere died on November 27th after a brief battle with cancer, said Stations VP Robert Kelley Monday.

Brother Loupadiere, 57, worked PMs at Jackson Heights/Roosevelt and had eight and a half years of service with New York City Transit. Co-workers said he was a union activist who came to meetings and savored the companionship of his New York City Transit family, frequently going out to dinner and on trips with his brothers and sisters from work.

"Jose was a diamond in the rough," said Kelley. "He was hardworking, caring. He was the epitome of a hardworking union man. Always there for snow duty, he always answered the bell. He was selfless, putting co-workers and family first. During his fight with cancer, his brother John was with him every waking hour. I didn't just lose a co-worker—I lost a friend and a brother."

Brother Loupadiere will be remembered at a gravesite service on Wednesday, December 3, at 10:30 AM at Rosehill Cemetery at 792 E. Edgar Road in Linden, New Jersey.

A Thanksgiving Message from President Chiarello

Today I give thanks for the members of Local 100. Every day you bring diligence, hard work and honor to your jobs and to this union.

I am doubly thankful for those who are working today, keeping the city moving and making it possible for families and friends to come together for a holiday meal.

I am also thankful to be your president. Together, who we are as a union fills me with extraordinary pride. And I know that next year we’re going to come out swinging for a new contract. Because when we fight, we win!

But for now, may you all enjoy a safe and bountiful Thanksgiving holiday.

President Chiarello Appears on NY1 to Discuss the Hazards of OPTO: See Video Below

NOVEMBER 19—Appearing live on Pat Kiernan’s popular morning show on Spectrum’s NY1, Local 100 President John Chiarello told the host why NY Governor Kathy Hochul should sign the union’s bill mandating two person train operation in New York City Transit.

The overriding reason, Chiarello explained, is safety, with efficiency a close second. He recounted 2022’s subway shooting and smoke bomb attack on the N Train in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where the heroic actions of Conductor Raven Haynes, in evacuating passengers calmly and professionally, reduced panic and may have saved lives.

“The Conductors are the eyes and ears of the subway system,” Chiarello said, noting that they see crimes in progress and, if a train is stopped by an emergency between stations, are responsible for evacuations along with the Train Operator.

Sharing in the victory: (l-r) Shop Steward Raphael Brock, Natividad Medina, and Grady Johnson

Big Gains at Big Bus San Francisco

NOVEMBER 17—Workers at Big Bus San Francisco, the Local 100 drivers who bring tourists to Haight Ashbury, Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge, have a new five-year contract that significantly boosts their wages and benefits.

In congratulating the negotiating team, Private Bus Lines Vice President Danny D’Amato said:

"Your union fought hard, and the gains in this Memorandum of Agreement are HUGE and I’m proud to have been able to achieve this with the help of my team, which includes San Fran Chair Raphael Brock, Lead Organizer Karla Kozak, Executive Director of Organizing Frank McCann, Senior Director of Legal Department Deirdre Feerick and most importantly our president John Chiarello for his leadership and for always giving us the necessary resources needed to execute these fair contracts that represent the dignity and respect our members deserve.”

The new agreement boosts pay at every step, lowers the number of part-timers to one-fifth of the workforce, ups the number of paid holidays to nine, and increases the amount of time workers can take for bereavement and family emergencies. Also included is one pet bereavement day.

Longevity pay also gets a boost, with a new $1,300 payout after 13 years of service and increases for all tiers. The employer will also pick up the full cost for the mandated DOT medical exam and renewal. There is a ratification bonus of $250 for members with less than five years on the job; for those over five years the bonus is $500.

Here are the complete details:

Council Health Committee Kills Horse Ban Hearing

NOVEMBER 14—With dozens of TWU Local 100 Horse Carriage Drivers and a large turnout from New York City Transit in attendance, the City Council’s Health Committee voted not to hold a hearing on the future of the horse carriage industry in New York.

Council Member Robert Holden, who is finishing up his final term in office, tried to force a hearing on Ryder's Law on his way out of the Council, but the four of the Council Members present—James Gennaro, Carmen de la Rosa, Justin Brannan and Oswald Feliz—voted not to convene a hearing, which concluded the matter.

One Council member voted yes and two others abstained. Without a new hearing, efforts to ban the industry are off the table for the rest of the year.

The contentious issue has been the subject of much press attention and political posturing for years, with major opposition to the horse carriage industry in Central Park coming from the animal rights group NYCLASS, which was founded by real estate mogul Steve Nislick. TWU Local 100 represents 170 Horse Carriage Drivers who want to continue the 166-year old tradition of treating tourists to stately carriage rides around the park, working with horses and supporting their families.

The animals are well-treated, as testified to by multiple veterinarians, and benefit from city regulations which insure their comfort and health.

(l-r): Kristina Ching, Shallena Jabid, and Rita Simon

Bringing Holiday Cheer, Museum Workers Want Some for Themselves

NOVEMBER 14—The Grand Central New York Transit Museum looked a little more festive than usual when it opened Thursday morning. A mammoth train set dominated the space, with cars looping through models of tunnels from miniature snowy mountains to elevated tracks that led to a scale model of Grand Central Station itself.

Greeting customers were some of Local 100’s newest union members—MTA Sales Leads and Sales Associates who staff the museum’s three locations (2 Broadway, Grand Central, and Livingston Street in Brooklyn).

Kristina Ching, a four-year employee at the museum, is the Shop Steward for the Grand Central store. She’s one of about 35 members across the three locations who signed with TWU Local 100 in April to obtain better wages, benefits and working conditions.

Also representing workers in the shop is Shallena Jabid, with 26 years on the job. Both Ching and Jabid are on the bargaining committee, which just met with management at the table for the third time.

“I like working with people,” said Jabid. “So many come here just for information, every day—nothing to do with the museum—and we can help them.”

More news

Stay Connected

Working in the Cold

Watch for the warning signs of hypothermia Most dangerous for exposure: evening elevated outdoor work, especially with a wind. click on the image for safety precautions