News from TWU Local 100

Victims of Russia’s Brutal War in Ukraine Get Help From TWU Local 100

With the devastating war in Ukraine entering its fifth month, union members have stepped up to render humanitarian assistance. Organized by CED Exec Board Member Grigoryi Dunichev, who hails from Ukraine, the charity drive for TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, raised $9,600 from the membership. Local 100 contributed an additional $10,000, making the total nearly $20,000.

COVID-19 Testing on MTA Properties to End Sunday, June 26

As announced earlier this month, COVID-19 testing at MTA properties will end Sunday, June 26.

At-home COVID-19 test kits are available at most pharmacies.

Vaccines and boosters will continue to be available at 130 Livingston St., Brooklyn, on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information regarding COVID-19, go to the MTA’s COVID-19 Employee Resource Center: https://new.mta.info/covid-19/employees

Sec-Treasurer Richard Davis Announces New Safety Team

JUNE 17, 2022 -- TWU Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Richard Davis is restructuring and reinvigorating Local 100’s Safety Department, Davis announced.

“We’re embarking on a whole new approach to safety that will be more comprehensive, more strategic, and more member responsive,” Davis, who also serves as Local 100’s Director of Operations, said. “We will be equally focused on addressing the unacceptable plague of workplace violence – and the hazards posed by our work-related equipment, assignments, and environment.”

New initiatives are being developed to improve communication with the members, identify safety problems and trends; coordinate with MTA security officials; educate members about safety protocols; upgrade existing safety protocols; and get officials to take mitigating actions, Davis said.

NY Primaries: Early Voting Begins Saturday -- Support Our Endorsed Candidates

Early Voting!

Early voting begins on Saturday, June 18, 2022 and ends on June 26, 2022.

Primary Day: Tuesday, June 28^,2022, is Primary Day for Statewide and Assembly Races

Click to see how to vote and our endorsements.

MTA No Longer Requiring COVID-19 Testing for Non Vaccinated

Citing NY State guidelines, the MTA is no longer requiring regular COVID-19 testing for non-vaccinated workers. If you are experiencing symptoms or have encountered someone who has tested positive for COVID, you should still get tested.

Testing locations on MTA property will remain open through Sunday June 26th.

For more information on MTA policies and resources available to members, go to the MTA Employee Resource Center website:
https://new.mta.info/covid-19/employees

In the Wake of Bus Operator Stabbing, Union Demands Cockpit-Style Enclosures; More Police Presence on Buses

JUNE 7 -- At a press conference held today outside of Methodist Hospital in Park Slope where a Bus Operator is recovering from being stabbed, TA Surface Vice President JP Patafio called for the MTA to install cockpit-style enclosures to protect our Bus Operators from assault as well as more police presence on bus routes. He said that Bus Operators were frustrated and angry that more has not been done to protect them from assault. He demanded that NYC Transit install cockpit-style bus enclosures, similar to those which are already in service in cities like Las Vegas. The press conference was called after a veteran Bus Operator was stabbed in the stomach last night in Brooklyn after a perp forced his way through the rear doors of the vehicle and assaulted the Operator, also slashing him above the right eye.

TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano and Patafio visited the Bus Operator in the hospital this morning. Also speaking at the press event were TA Surface officers Ronald Carter, Gary Rosario, and Alexander Kemp. Rank and file Bus Operators also addressed the media as did East New York Depot Chair Javier Oquendo.

TWU International Announces Scholarship Winners; 8 Win from Local 100

Our Parent Union, the Transport Workers Union of America, has announced the winners of its Michael J. Quill Scholarships as well as additional scholarships provided to union members. Eight TWU Local 100 students -- sons and daughters of rank and file members -- are among the winners. TWU Local 100 has our own scholarship program as well, and those winners are yet to be chosen. Read the memo announcing the winners here.

NYS Legislature Passes New Laws Protecting More Transit Workers from Assault

Both houses of the New York State Legislature passed by overwhelming margins legislation that aims to protect more transit workers from assaults.

Under the bill, criminals could be charged with second-degree felony assault if they intentionally cause serious injury to workers tasked with the repair or maintenance of bus and subway equipment, including elevators, escalators, and tracks; the collection of fare revenues; the testing, inspection and troubleshooting of operating equipment; and other tasks. The existing felony assault law already covers job titles like Train Conductor, Train Operator, Bus Operator, Station Agent, and subway Cleaner.

Exec. Board Elevates Richard Davis to Secretary Treasurer and Donald Yates to MaBSTOA VP

MAY 31 -- The Local 100 Executive Board took decisive action today to fill the leadership vacancy left by the retirement late last week of Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips.

At its regularly scheduled May meeting, the Board voted 43-2-1 to elevate MaBSTOA Vice President Richard Davis to Secretary-Treasurer. The Board then voted 43-2 to raise MaBSTOA Division 1 Chair Donald Yates to Division Vice President.

Local 100 President Tony Utano, who praised both men as eminently ready for the step up in leadership positions, submitted both motions to the Board.

Local 100's Sonya Grey Calls out MTA for Foot Dragging on Contract

TWU Local 100’s Career and Salary unit publicly called out the Authority Wednesday for failing to negotiate a contract with any urgency.

Sonya Grey, “a proud member of TWU Local 100” and the Career & Salary unit, chastised MTA CEO Janno Lieber and upper management at the MTA board meeting for dragging their feet in negotiations that date back to 2019. The pandemic understandably put negotiations temporarily on hold, but the MTA has been offering up nothing but a series of weightless excuses as New York and the country have returned to work, school, and normal activities, she said.