A Win for Transit Workers: Expedited Centers for MTA Employees

APRIL 16 — The MTA announced on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, a new COVID-19 testing program for transit workers mirroring the initiative the city launched for police and firefighters earlier in the week. The MTA will forward the names of workers with COVID-19 symptoms to Northwell Health facilities so they can be tested. The testing will begin tomorrow, Friday. Below is the statement released by Local 100 President Utano on the announcement, followed by the Daily News article and information the MTA released on the program.

President Utano: “On one hand it’s good news. Transit workers, police officers and other essential workers need and deserve expedited testing. But on the other hand, it required a lot of agitation and advocacy by workers and unions like TWU Local 100 to make it happen. Why the wealthiest country in the world couldn’t quickly get the necessary testing is something someone will have to answer to at some point. The NY Daily News reports on Coronavirus testing for transit workers with an initiative mirroring program for cops and firefighters.”

More Information on Testing from the MTA:
Under the new partnership, Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care will provide priority testing to symptomatic transportation workers a rate of up to 50 tests per day or 350 per week. The partnership between the MTA and Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care is similar to the partnership the organization has with the NYPD and FDNY. The agreement expands the range of options available to MTA employees, who are still able to go to their primary care physician or other medical provider at no cost to the employee.

Northwell Health-GoHealth will be reaching out to MTA workers who have identified themselves as symptomatic to the MTA COVID-19 hotline and arranging appointments for a range of comprehensive medical exams and diagnostic tests, including testing for COVID-19 beginning Friday, April 17.

Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care locations are located at 52 locations throughout the region and are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
For more information, go to: www.Gohealthuc.com/nyc

Reporter NJ Burkett Reports on TWU Family of Hero Bus Operator Wayne Fingall

WABC Eyewitness News Reporter NJ Burkett tells the story of Bus Operator Wayne Fingall, who passed away from COVID-19 in the line of duty. His family is receiving the $500,000 benefit negotiated by the Union.

Urgent Call for Blood Donations for Ben Schaeffer, Fighting for his Life on a Ventilator

A veteran conductor once hailed a hero for his handling of an on-board emergency is fighting for his life and needs a plasma donation.

Ben Schaeffer, Local 100’s RTO Conductor Vice Chair, has COVID-19 and is on a ventilator at Maimonides Hospital. Doctors have recommended an experimental new treatment called “Convalescent Plasma.” The Blood Bank at the hospital needs blood donors who have tested positive for the coronavirus, have recovered, and have gone at least 14 days without symptoms. Ben’s blood type is A+ and he needs a matching donor or donors to come to his assistance now. The number at Maimonides for potential donors to call is 718-283-7657. If you have type A+ blood, please help your union brother.

Bus Operator John Phillip Lost to Virus

Flatbush Depot is in mourning over the loss of Bus Operator, John Phillip, 65, to the Coronavirus.  He had 15 years on the job and lived in Brooklyn.

Brother Phillip was an accomplished diver and fisherman.  Flatbush Chair Richard Thorn said that John “loved the the sea.  He loved to fish and loved to dive.  Every year he spent his vacation in the Caribbean, sailing between the islands and diving.  He had already planned out his vacation this year, but it’s not to be.”

Ferdi German, Car Inspector at 207th Street, is Mourned

The CED workforce at 207th Street is mourning the passing of Brother Ferdi Amaury German to the Coronavirus on April 9, 2020.  Brother German, just 41 years old, was a Car Inspector B, and had been on the job for 13 years.  

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, graduated Christoper Columbus High School in the Bronx, and had studied at Lehman College before joining NYCT. 

Union, MTA Extend Sick Rule Relaxation Through April 25

Kingsbridge Mourns Bus Operator Wayne Fingall, "Big Brother."

Kingsbridge Depot is mourning the loss of its “Big Brother;” beloved Bus Operator Wayne Fingall, 59, who was on the job nearly 20 years.

TWU Mourns Sabrina A. Eubanks, Station Agent and Author

We have lost a Sister who had renown far beyond our transit circle. Sabrina A. Eubanks, a Station Agent with 32 years of service to the MTA, has passed from the coronavirus. She worked Cypress Hills on the J line.

In her spare time she was a prolific author of fast-paced fiction, including the Love and Consequences and the Karma series. 

Bruce Miley, Liberty Lines Operator, Dies of Virus

The Local 100 workforce at Liberty Lines Bus in Westchester is mourning the passing of union Brother Bruce Miley, 61, who passed away of the Coronavirus April 9, 2020.
Brother Miley had 15 years on the job and lived in the Bronx, NY.

Families of Transit Worker Heroes Killed by COVID-19 to Receive $500,000 Death Benefit Payments

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Transport Workers Union Local 100, and the Transport Workers Union of America, have reached an agreement establishing a COVID-19 death benefit for TWU members who died after being infected. Under the agreement, and the side letter, the MTA will pay $500,000 in a lump sum to the spouse, beneficiary or estate of each deceased member who was in active service on or after February 1, 2020. The TWU agreement extends the COVID-19 death benefit to members of four TWU Locals: Local 100, Local 106, Local 2001 and Local 2055.

Foster Moore, CTA, Passes Away

CTA Foster Moore, the father of five children from 11 to 28 years old, has died of the Coronavirus.  Brother Moore had 26 years on the job and most recently worked the 10:00pm to 6:00am shift at the Cortlandt Street station, which had been destroyed when the towers fell on 911.

President Tony Utano's Message to our Membership on Easter Sunday

Executive Board Member Darryl K. Sweeney Succumbs to Virus

RTO Tower Operator and Executive Board member Darryl K. Sweeney passed away this morning, 4/11/2020, at Jamaica Hospital due to COVID-19. He was 58 years old. Darryl first got sick on March 20th.

He was born on 10/19/1961 and was a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, NY. He joined the Transit Authority in 2006 as a Station Agent, before being promoted to Tower Operator. He worked the midnight shift at East New York Master Tower. Darryl was elected to the Local 100 Executive Board in December 2018, on his first try as one of eight E Board members for RTO. In his spare time, Darryl enjoyed martial arts, playing chess, traveling, and volunteering to help families in need. Darryl served in the U. S. Navy in the 1980s, and was honorably discharged.

Emmanuel Jacob, ENY Bus Operator, Passes

The men and women of East New York Depot are mourning the death to the Coronavirus of Bus Operator Emmanuel Jacob.  He was 60 years old and had 20 years on the job. 

Depot Vice Chair Javier Oquendo said that Brother Jacob “was a great person to work with.  He was always upbeat, always in a good mood. He was great in the swing room, loved to play pool and was good at it.  It earned him the nickname ‘Jake the Snake.’  He was always joking with the other drivers.  Everyone knew him and liked him.  This hits hard.”

Bus Operator Miguel Chumpitaz Loses Battle With the Virus

The members and officers of Gleason Depot in Brooklyn are in mourning over the loss of Bus Operator Miguel Chumpitaz, one of the most beloved workers at the facility. He was 60 years of age and had nearly 22 years on the job.

Scores of brokenhearted co-workers at Gleason posted emotional tributes to Miguel, like this one: “Just received the news of my long time Road Warrior from Gleason Depot, Miguel Chumpitaz, who has been Dispatched for Eternal Rest. For over two plus decades, we worked side by side through numerous situations moveing the people of New York and did so with kindness, joyful and loving spirit and with great determination. He enjoyed LIFE to the fullest and was admired, respected and loved . . . I will treasure all of the FUN TIMES we shared ON and OFF the Road. Rest in Peace, Road Warrior, you were truly one of a kind and will be truly MISSED."