TWU Responds to Arrest of Bus Operator after Brooklyn Accident

Local 100 President John Samuelsen and Vice President JP Patafio lashed out at the arrest of one of our Bus Operators after a tragic accident in Brooklyn under Mayor de Blasio's Vision Zero plan.  The Daily News and the New York Times had the most comprehensive pieces.

Read Pete Donohue's take here.

The Times reported that Samuelsen "called the girl’s injury a tragedy but said the city and its police force were putting drivers in an impossible situation by arresting them for accidents." The paper quoted him as follows: “They navigate incredibly difficult streets loaded with pedestrians, and they do this without any enforcement on the pedestrian end of things,” Mr. Samuelsen said, adding, “To arrest an operator for an unintentional accident is really just absolutely outrageous, illogical and anti-worker.”

Standing Strong: TWU Sec-Treas. Phillips and Attorney Rubenstein Announce Civil Suit

STANDING STRONG: TWU Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips joins attorney Sanford Rubenstein as he announces a civil suit filed against those who contributed to the death of NYCT Bus Operator William Pena one year ago. In this video, Pena’s wife Nancy Rodriguez also talks about her husband’s death from the perspective of a year’s passing. Dozens of TWU Local 100 members joined Phillips, Rubenstein, and Nancy Rodriguez as the attorney announced the civil suit and described what it alleges.

Video also available on TWU Local 100's Facebook page.

In Pena Case, Atty Rubenstein Files Civil Suit Against Establishments that Served Whilby

FEBRUARY 12 -- One year to the day after drunk driver Domonic Whilby drove a bread truck full on into a city bus driven by Bus Operator Willie Pena, killing him, attorney Sanford Rubenstein, acting on behalf of Willie's widow, Nancy Rodriguez, and his daughter, Gabrielle, served fancy club 1Oak, the Dream Hotel, and two trucking companies with a 303 count civil lawsuit for damages. Bus Operator Willie Pena, a career NYCT Bus Driver and TWU Local 100 member, was proceeding down 14th Street in the early morning when Whilby's truck came flying down 7th Avenue. Pena, who drove out of the Quill Depot and had 17 years on the job, was pronounced dead at the scene. Whilby, who was partying with his uncle, actor/model Tyson Beckford, and model Shanina Shaik, was not cut off by bartenders when he should have been, the suit says. Additionally, the trucking firm failed to secure the idling bread truck, enabling the drunken Whilby to steal it and and go on his fatal joyride. Whilby is currently at Riker's awaiting trial on a raft of charges including Murder in the Second Degree. At the press conference, TWU Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips spoke of the sadness of the union family at the one year mark and of our determination to stay the course until justice is served. Nancy spoke movingly to the assembled press corps about the void in her and her daughter's lives now that Willie is gone.

TWU Mourns Passing of Mary Lawe

Mary Elizabeth Lawe (nee Heaney), widow of the late John E. Lawe, who served as President of Local 100 from 1977 to 1985, and International President from 1985 until his death in January 1989, passed away on Feb. 9, 2015.

Mrs. Lawe, a native of County Longford, Ireland, was a much loved and respected figure in both union and Irish circles for many years. She is survived by her son, Desmond, and daughters, Deirdre and Patricia.

Arrangements for Mrs. Lawe are as follows: Viewing: Weigand Brothers Funeral Home, 49 Hillside Ave., East Williston, NY. Friday February 13, 2015 from 2:00pm to 4:00 pm and 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 9:30am at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Manorhaven Blvd., Port Washington, NY 11050.

The Family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation may be made in Mary Lawe’s name to one of the following: Doctors Without Borders doctorswithoutborders.org/donate or St. Jude's Children Hospital. www.stjude.org.

Union Mourns Jaime English, Collecting Agent

Local 100 is mourning the tragic death of Brother Jaime M. English, a Collecting Agent since 2001.  Police are still investigating the circumstances of his death by gun shot in the crew room of his reporting location at 14^th Street and Seventh Avenue on the evening of Monday, February 12th.

No matter what the investigation ultimately yields, we have lost a good union Brother, who was a husband and father.

Co-workers expressed shock at the news, and remembered Brother English as a friendly, easygoing person, who was well-liked by his co-workers. There will be a viewing at the St. John's FBH Baptist Church at 1016 Fulton Street in Brooklyn, between Downing & Irving Place on Wednesday, February 18th. The viewing will be from 9AM to 11AM, followed by a service at 11AM.

Co-workers have begun a collection to help Brother English's family deal with their immediate financial crisis.  Anyone interested in donating, please contact Tommy Carpen at 347-724-2223.

VIDEO: Pres. Samuelsen, MTA CEO Prendergast salute rank & file transit workers at Hometown Heroes awards

At the January 29 Hometown Heroes in Transit Awards, labor and management partnered with the NY Daily News to salute rank and file transit workers. Both TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen and MTA CEO Tom Prendergast talked about the value and importance of the workforce.

Empire Blue to members: Beware of scam emails

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield warns of scam emails targeting Empire members. These scams, designed to capture personal information (known as “phishing”) are designed to appear as if they are from Anthem (Empire’s parent company), and the emails include a “click here” link supposedly for credit monitoring. These emails are NOT from Anthem or Empire.
If you receive such an email:
• DO NOT click on any links in the email.
• DO NOT reply to the email or reach out to the senders in any way.
• DO NOT supply any information on the website that may open, if you have mistakenly clicked on a link in the email.
• DO NOT open any attachments that arrive with the email.
Empire also is NOT calling members regarding the cyber attack and is NOT asking for credit card information or social security numbers over the phone.
Empire says it will contact current and former members via mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service about the cyber attack with specific information on how to enroll in credit monitoring. Empire has announced that affected members will receive free credit monitoring and ID protection services.

VIDEO: Brooklyn Street Named for Bus Operator Edwin Thomas

Mayor Bill de Blasio on February 5th signed into law a bill renaming a section of East 49th Street in Brooklyn as Edwin Thomas Way. Brother Thomas was stabbed to death by an enraged passenger on Dec. 1, 2008 on a B46 bus in Brooklyn. The renaming is a victory for TWU Local 100, said President John Samuelsen, who was present at the signing ceremony at City Hall. The renaming was done at the request of City Council Member Alan Maisel (D-Brooklyn), who was lobbied by TA Surface officers including Vice President J.P. Patafio, Division Chair Willie Rivera, and Vice Chair Louis Marrero. In this video, the Councilman speaks about the dangers faced by transit workers, and Edley Thomas, who was 16 at the time of her father's slaying, speaks movingly to an audience of hundreds who were in the main chamber of the City Council.

Mayor Honors Memory of Bus Operator Edwin Thomas

At the request of City Council Member Alan Maisel (D-Brooklyn), who was lobbied by TA Surface officers, notably Vice Chair Louis Marrero, Mayor Bill de Blasio today signed legislation renaming a Brooklyn street for  Bus Operator Edwin Thomas, who was stabbed fatally by a passenger in December of 2008. Present were TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen, TA Surface officers including Marrero, VP JP Patafio, and Chair Willie Rivera. Edley Thomas, who was 16 at the time of her father's slaying, spoke movingly to an audience of hundreds who were in the main chamber of the City Council for street namings which included honors for two recent NYPD Detectives killed in the line of duty. Along with Ms. Thomas was her best friend, Jessica, who together with the union officers stood for a  photo with the Mayor after the ceremony. Stay tuned for a video of Edley's remarks and those of Councilman Maisel.

Union Announces New Shop Steward Classes

TWU Local 100's Shop Stewards are critical soldiers in the fight to enforce our contract, fix safety violations, and build union power in the workplace. TWU Local 100 Education Director Nicholas Bedell invites all TWU Local 100 members to sign up for Shop Steward classes beginning on February 26th. For more information, download and read the flyer on the new classes here. It's easy to sign up. For additional information, you can contact Brother Bedell at nbedell@twulocal100.org or by calling 212-873-6000 ext. 2035.

Statement on Anthem Data Breach

Anthem, the parent company of Empire, has announced a massive security breach. This breach may have involved non-medical information about members covered by Empire. President Samuelsen has discussed this with management, which is closely monitoring the situation and will keep us informed. President Samuelsen is further proposing that standards for data security be included in future agreements with vendors that handle member information.

Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp-Sauray Speaks at Transit Awareness Day in Albany

TWU Local 100 Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp-Sauray came to Albany on February 3 to deliver a ringing speech about the value of Bus Rapid Transit to commuters in New York City. On the same day, Bus Rapid Transit was put forward by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who said his administration backs putting in 13 new BRT lines in the City. Ms. Crisp-Sauray was introduced by Bob Zerrillo, the Policy Director of the New York Public Transit Association, which hosts Transit Awareness Day in Albany each year.

Local 100 & the NY Daily News Present 2015's Hometown Heroes in Transit

The New York Daily News produced this excellent video of the paper’s 2015 Hometown Heroes in Transit, showcasing the often heroic and always dedicated work done 24/7 by the members of TWU Local 100 as we guide a record 8.5 million each day to their destinations around New York City. Enjoy it and don’t forget to send us your ideas for future hometown heroes award winners by email to communications@twulocal100.org

Here are the Daily News' 2015 Hometown Heroes in Transit

The official job description for MTA bus operator doesn't say anything about a crazed gunman firing shots onboard. But that's what George Smith had to contend with Jan. 31, 2014, as he navigated his B12 local through Brownsville, Brooklyn. Smith didn't panic.

President Samuelsen Reacts to Lenient Court Treatment of Off Duty Police Officer in Assault of Female Conductor

As reported in the New York Daily News the off duty Police Officer seen on video fleeing a Bronx D line station after viciously assaulting a female Conductor on platform duty has been charged only with a misdemeanor rather than a Class D felony for attacking an MTA employee on duty, as prescribed by law.  The assault took place two days before Christmas at the Tremont Ave. station.
 
TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen issued the following statement on the lenient slap-on-the-wrist charge.
 
“There is a glaring disparate treatment at play with NY's criminal justice system when a police officer is allowed to brutally assault a uniformed TWU Local 100 Conductor and walk away with what amounts to a slap on the wrist. Had one of our Conductors viciously assaulted a uniformed female police officer, an arrest would have occurred immediately, and that Conductor would be facing substantial felony charges. It's despicable, and transit workers will not be silenced in our outrage.”

The Award Winners

Third Hometown Heroes Breakfast Honors TWU Members

JANUARY 29 -- Among the first people to open the Daily News each morning are the transit workers who get up while the City sleeps. Today, they got a treat -- a special 12-page section inside the paper showcasing the News's 2015 Hometown Heroes in Transit -- TWU Local 100 members who have distinguished themselves by helping fellow New Yorkers, often at risk to their own safety. Before the day's end, the Hometown Heroes section will be seen by nearly two million people. Honorees joined TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen, Daily News Publisher Mort Zuckerman, and other luminaries at a breakfast hosted by the Municipal Credit Union at Manhattan's Edison Ballroom. Also on hand was Daily News transit reporter Pete Donohue, who has done so much to tell the stories of transit workers that President Samuelsen called him the reportorial voice of blue collar New York. The entertaining morning of presentations was MC'd  by New York 1 morning anchor Pat Kiernan, who shares with many transit workers the distinction of having to get up at 3 AM. We can't do justice to Donohue's great article on the hometown heroes in transit, so we're linking to it here so you can read it. And while it's on the stands, get out and buy today's Daily News. It's a honor for us all.

Today's honorees included a Bus Operator who drove a critically wounded teen to an ambulance station after gunfire erupted on her bus (and whose name is being withheld because of the incident), Conductor Jonathan Cassell, Train Operator Luis Manrique, Eagle Team Member Bob Esposito, Track Workers David Soto, Louis Albino, Clyde Ferguson, and Stewart Azzato, Car Inspector Kenny Williams, SIR Conductor James Thompson, Station Agent Theresa Green, Machinist Frank Gurrera, and Bus Operator George Smith.