These TWU Local 100 members are on a new career track.
A group of 30 cleaners, property protection agents and traffic checkers started training Monday to become plumbers, masons and carpenters – higher paid, skill-based titles in the Structures Department.
This is the third – and largest – class of Local 100 members to participate in the union’s Upward Advancement Program at The Apex Technical School in Long Island City, Queens. “I’m proud to be standing here and I’m proud of this program,” Local 100 President Tony Utano told the students in an opening ceremony. “This program is worth gold. You are going to learn a trade, and a lot of people don’t get this opportunity.”
For six months, the students will attend class full time at Apex while receiving their regular pay. As part of their training, they will build a small replica of a house, complete with a foundation, brick masonry, electricity and plumbing. After completing the program, they will be assigned to work in the field alongside skilled tradespersons at NYC Transit.
"The road ahead is long,” Charles Jenkins, acting director of Local 100’s Training and Upgrade Fund. “It will be challenging and exciting, but most of all, it will be rewarding.” Participants are selected by a joint union-management committee using criteria that includes their grades following completion of a math and reading comprehension course, and their disciplinary and attendance records at NYC Transit, Jenkins said. After working as a cleaner, CTA Sakina Brown, 37, said she was looking to advance economically. “I want to provide a better life for my kids,” she said. “I started as a cleaner. The pay is okay. It keeps you above water. I just want better.”
Utano was joined at the opening ceremony by Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips, Car Equipment Vice President Shirely Martin, MOW Vice President John Chiarello and Structure’s Executive Board member and Division Chair Richie Rocco.
FEBRUARY 26 -- President Tony Utano administered the TWU Oath of Office to a group of newly elected union officers today. The ceremony took place before the regularly scheduled meeting of the TWU Local 100 Executive Board.
Union members and families packed the hall on February 21 to celebrate Black History and the contributions of African-Americans to transit. Food was provided by Melba's of Harlem, and Melba received an award from the union. If you weren't able to make it -- check out our video!
Local 100 Stations Vice President Lynwood Whichard and Division Chair Robert Kelley took aggressive action to insure membership safety when foul-smelling fumes filled several L train stations on Tuesday Feb. 5th. The two officers, after consulting with President Tony Utano, advised members working at the Grand St., Graham Ave. and Lorimer St. stations, at approximately noon, to go above ground in order to avoid prolonged exposure to the fumes, as The New York Daily News, NBC Channel 4 and other media outlets reported.
The MTA then suspended service for a few hours and called in the shuttle buses. Service resumed later after the NYC Fire Department declared it safe for riders passing through the area. But Local 100 members didn’t return until the smell significantly dissipated hours later Tuesday night.
Authorities determined the odor was caused by non-flammable fuel oil that leaked into the system.
Photo: On Tuesday, Local 100 Stations VP Lynwood Whichard talks to Station Agent about the fumes situation on the L Line.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31 -- Bus Operators and Maintainers crowded into the swing room at Jackie Gleason Depot in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, to pay tribute to Whitfield Gibson, the Chair of the Depot, who passed away in 2018 from cancer at the age of 50. Giving tribute was TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano. At the conclusion of his speech, a plaque honoring Brother Gibson was unveiled, which will be mounted on the wall of the swing room. A similar plaque will grace the outside of the Depot itself.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31 -- 40 transit workers, most members of TWU Local 100, were honored by TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano, NYCT President Andy Byford, and others at the Authority's annual Medals of Excellence ceremony held at 2 Broadway. Among those honored were Local 100 members who saved the lives of colleagues, who evacuated passengers from subway trains, and who confronted criminals on buses to protect riders. In this video, President Utano gives his remarks, and we hear the dramatic story of how a Plant and Equipment Maintainer saved the life of a co-worker.
FEBRUARY 1, 2019 -- TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano swears in the newly elected Union officers from the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority, Maintenance Division, at the Union Hall.
At our January Mass Membership Meeting, TWU Local 100 was proud to welcome newly-elected New York State Attorney General Letitia "Tish" James as our keynote speaker. Her remarks were a ringing endorsement of TWU Local 100's proud tradition of activism. She was introduced by Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips, who recounted her history of support for transit workers.
Local 100 is mourning the death of Ralph DiSpigna, retired Director of the TWU Local 100-NYCT-MABSTOA Health Benefit Trust. He was 87 and had retired in 1998 after 19 years as Director of the Trust. Prior to that, he had served as Director of the Local 100 Retirees Association.Ralph started as a Bus Operator at the 54th St. Depot in Manhattan. He served as Vice Chair there, and then as Chair of the Hudson Pier Depot after the closure of 54th Street.In 1973, Ralph made a cameo appearance in the action flick, the 7 Ups, with Roy Scheider. He didn’t even have to dress in costume. The scene had the film’s hero getting on to Ralph’s bus.Ralph attended the union-sponsored 50th Anniversary of the 1966 transit strike.
Arrangements are as follows:
Viewing:
Yardley & Pino funeral home
91 Hampton Street
Sag Harbor, New York 11963
Saturday, February 2, 2019 3:00pm- 6:00Ppm
Sunday, February 3, 2019 12noon-3:00pm
