A Message about Union Leadership

SEPTEMBER 3, 2026—On August 31st, 2026 the Local Executive Board, in two separate votes, found RTO Vice President Tramell Thompson guilty of serious violations of the TWU Constitution and Local Bylaws.

One charge involved actions which disrupted critical agreements in the Bus Maintenance Divisions. The other charge involved a refusal to be transparent about funds that he collected from members for what was advertised as an “official” event.

The determination of the Board was to remove Thompson from office based on each of the two charges—in concurrence with the recommendations of the Local’s trial committee. The votes were nearly unanimous. Local 100 represented in court, when Thompson sought to get an order restraining the union trial, that should the Board vote to remove him, his removal from the Office of Vice President would not be effective until an appeal to the International Appeals Committee was decided.

However, given the nature of his offenses, President John V. Chairello exercised his power under Article IV Section 1 of the Local Bylaws (“The Vice-Presidents shall assist the President in the discharge of his/her duties, to such extent as the President shall determine”) to assign Tramell Thompson to work remotely on matters relevant to his Department.

Effective immediately, Conductor-Towers Division Chair Chris Drummond will serve as the lead union officer in RTO until Thompson concludes his internal appeal. Please direct all RTO-related matters to Chris Drummond: cdrummond@twulocal100.org / (718) 785-7800