TWU Local 100 | New York's Public Transit Union

New: Union Flyers on COVID-19 to Download and Distribute - Just click to download

RTO Mourns the Loss of Conductor Donald Duvert, 39

The Union is mourning the untimely death of Conductor Donald Duvert, 39. On Saturday, October 24th, Conductor Duvert was working at Euclid Ave. on the “C” line when he fell ill and passed away. He was rushed to Brookdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

His sister, Marcy, remembers him to us: Born in Brooklyn, Brother Duvert resided in Valley Stream, NY. He joined the Transit Authority as a Conductor in 2018, and was assigned to Subdivision “B”. He loved his dog “Chichi”, and enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved boxing, basketball, nice cars and most importantly his family. Brother Duvert is survived by four siblings Dabir, Marc, Marcy, Chrishell, four nieces - Eboni, Elicia, Kayla, Khloe, and his parents, Pierre Duvert and Emmanuella Antoine. He will be truly missed.

RTO Vice President Eric Loegel expressed his condolences: "This is another sad and tragic loss for the Department and the Union. We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brother Duvert, and wish them peace and comfort during this extremely difficult time."

President Tony Utano also expressed his condolences to the family of this young Union Brother.

Daily News Covers MTA/NYU Variance over Infection Rate

FYI. More information on MTA and NYU data from the Daily News:

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-mta-covid-cases-nyu-study-202010...

MTA Agrees to TWU Local 100 Request for Expanded COVID-19 Testing and Screening for NYC Bus and Subway Workers

OCTOBER 26 -- The MTA has agreed to implement one of Transport Workers Union Local 100’s top priority proposals – the testing and screening of thousands of transit workers for COVID-19 every week. The early detection program, believed to be the first of its kind for transit workers in the United States, involves voluntary testing at select bus depots and rail yards, NYC Transit Medical Assessment Centers and MTA Occupational Health Services facilities. Members also are encouraged to schedule free tests at their nearest Northwell Urgent Care facility as they have been allowed to for months.

The on-the-job testing locations will be changed and rotated on a regular basis. The MTA will give priority to locations in hotspot and cluster zones identified by New York State.The goal is to test up 15% of transit workers weekly, which means that more than 6,000 bus and subway workers will be tested a week if the MTA meets its goal. TWU Local 100 represents approximately 40,000 bus and subway workers at the MTA including Bus Operators, Train Conductors, Mechanics, Station Agents, Track Workers and Cleaners.

“This is exactly the type of screening program we have been asking for and it’s a huge step forward in terms of protecting TWU Local 100 members from a possible second wave,” TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano said. “We will closely monitor its implementation but we’re grateful our requests for testing and screening on such a scale have been heard.”

NYU Releases COVID-19 Survey; Union, Experts Urge the MTA to do More Testing and Screening of Members

OCTOBER 20 -- The New York University scientists asked by the union to research COVID-19’s impact on transit workers – and to make recommendations – have released the results of their initial survey.

Nearly 650 Local 100 members anonymously completed a survey questionnaire, and nearly 24% stated they tested positive for the virus. Many did not live in areas with high infection rates, suggesting they contracted the virus at work, according to the researchers. The survey also quantified a high percentage of workers fearful of becoming sick or assaulted.

“Through gaining a deeper understanding of how COVID-19 has impacted transit workers’ health and quality of life, we can determine how to best support them and protect them moving forward,” said Robyn Gershon, clinical professor of epidemiology at NYU School of Global Public Health, who leads the research project.

In the NYU press release, the researchers said they “recommend that the MTA not only continue offering testing—both virus and antibody—to workers, but expand it to better identify and isolate workers who may have the virus but do not show symptoms. This has also been recommended by TWU’s leaders.”

In addition to expanded testing and screening, the researchers recommend that the MTA continue making personal protective equipment readily available and “support the wellbeing” of transit workers with mental health services.

“We put the city on our shoulders when the pandemic hit, and we are still carrying it forward,” TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano said. “It has been a heavy burden. There are now more protective measures against the virus in place than when the crisis erupted, but we can’t let up. We need stay vigilant, and push forward with new and better ways to defend our blue-collar heroes still moving millions of riders a day.” Utano also said transit workers should get priority when there is an approved vaccine.

The NYU Release can be found here:

https://www.nyu.edu/.../transit-workers-covid-pilot-study...

Join Your Union in Supporting Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

TWU Local 100 joins Executive Board member Lionel and Nyoka Harrison, as we Make (St) Rides Against Breast Cancer. The event is Sunday, October 18, 2020 at Jones Beach on Long Island at 10:00 am. To donate please go to this link:

https://secure.acsevents.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=strides_donate_now&FR_ID=97644

When you get to the landing page, put the name NYOKA HARRISON into the dialogue box, and then please make a donation to support the effort.

Members can feel free to drive through a will -- the event is an all-vehicle caravan.

Transit Workers to be Honored by Rider's Alliance -- You Are Invited

Stand up and be recognized!

Bus and subway workers will be honored by the Riders Alliance next month at the organization’s annual gala. The virtual event will also pay tribute to John Raskin. Raskin founded the grassroots movement, which advocates for public transit, and served as its first executive director.

The program will feature “a special salute to the extraordinary transit workers of TWU Local 100 and ATU Locals 726, 1056, 1179, and 1181 in recognition of their dedication, valor and sacrifice to keep New York City moving in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.” This is a fundraising event, but transit workers do not have to pay to view when it is streamed live on-line on Monday, Nov. 16, from 7-8 p.m. Choose the “I am a transit worker and would like to attend for free as a gala honoree" option when registering here: ridersny.org/gala2020. It also will be recorded for later viewing.

“We put the city on our shoulders and have been carrying it since this pandemic hit,” Local 100 President Tony Utano said. “It’s great to see the members receive some much-deserved recognition from this important activist organization.”

Walgreens & Duane Reade Offering Free Flu Shot to MTA Employees

Walgreens is offering free flu shots at Walgreens and Duane Reade locations for MTA employees. Just click on this letter to download the coupon you'll need. The program is now in effect and will remain so throughout the flu season. Doctors recommend flu shots for everyone over 6 months of age. To find the Walgreens nearest you, call 1-800-WALGREENS or visit Walgreens.com/FindAStore.

It's Almost Time for Early Voting -- Find Out How

OCTOBER 20 -- Early voting begins in New York City on October 24 and continues through Sunday, November 1. You can get complete information about early voting here.

If you don't live within the city limits, or if you live in another state, click here for information.

For RTO, Social Distancing Trailers Arrive

OCTOBE 8 -- Today, the first of a series of mobile office trailers was delivered at Astoria-Ditmars Blvd. The intention is provide additional space for crews, as Ditmars is tiny, and COVID-19 cases are going up again in parts of the city.

The trailer at Ditmars is being set up, and may take a few days to be ready for occupancy. Other locations slated for trailers include Middle Village-Metropolitan Ave, and Crown Heights-Utica Ave. This is all part of a union-led effort to create safer, more comfortable work environments for our members. As always, we’ll keep you posted with further updates. --- In Solidarity, Eric Loegel,RTO VP

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Focus on Safety as Union Pushes Best Practices

Your union has been pressing the MTA to accelerate the installation of the sliding-panel bus partitions, utilize higher-grade air filters on rolling stock, and increase membership testing in order to better identify workers who may have the virus but do not yet have symptoms.

All of us, meanwhile, can take steps to combat the virus. We are in this together. These are just some of the measures we can take:

Please, wear your masks. As we demand riders wear face coverings on buses and subways, we also must be diligent and mask-up in our crew rooms and break rooms.

Try to social distance when you can. Management is moving to place empty buses and trains outside facilities to create more available space. The MTA also is moving to utilized trailers and lease additional office space for this purpose.

Enroll in Direct Deposit. Thousands of members still pick-up printed paychecks. You can avoid this person-to-person contact with Direct Deposit.

Pres. Utano Welcomes Fourth Class of Apprentices

OCTOBER 6 -- TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano welcomed a new class of 20 apprenticeship candidates who have begun training for MOW jobs at the Apex Technical School in Long Island City. The class -- 15 men and 5 women -- is drawn from the ranks of Traffic Checkers, Cleaners, and Transit Property Protection Agents. Upon completion of the Apex training program, the candidates begin apprenticeship jobs in MOW titles, significantly enhancing their salaries and careers in Transit. The program is administered by Charles Jenkins, Director of the Upward Advancement Program, and coordinated by Kristle Black. Also addressing the new candidates was John V. Chiarello, Vice President, Maintenance of Way.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Drivers Affiliate with TWU Local 100

OCTOBER 2 -- Horse-drawn carriages - one of New York City’s most popular tourist attractions – are back in Central Park after a nearly 7-month absence. Carriage rides were temporarily halted in March when the state directed all non-essential businesses to close because of the pandemic.

“The drivers and horses provide so much color, and are such a familiar part of the New York City landscape, just the sight of them will bring smiles to peoples’ faces,” owner-driver Colm McKeever said. “I believe that in my heart and soul. Manhattan has seen some dark days, but this is a step towards normalcy. It will give people a little hope that we will get out of this mess.”

The 162-year-old industry in NYC features 68 licensed horse-drawn carriages. Drivers are now affiliating themselves with Transport Workers Union Local 100. The union represents 40,000 bus and subway workers at the MTA, but also has a growing number of members holding tourism-related jobs. They include bus drivers at both Big Bus Tours and New York Waterway.

“There’s no doubt that workers have a better chance defending and improving their livelihood when they are united,” Local 100 President Tony Utano said. “It’s true whether you are operating a bus, a subway train or horse-drawn carriage. We look forward to working with the carriage drivers and their beloved horses.”

Executive Board Elevates Lynwood Whichard To Administrative Vice President; Also Names Robert Kelley as Stations Vice President, And Derick Echevarria as Stations Division Chair

September 29, 2020 - The Local 100 Executive Board today elevated Stations Division Vice President Lynwood Whichard to Administrative Vice President, to fill the void left by the passing of Nelson Rivera on May 23, 2020. Whichard joins President Tony Utano, Secretary Treasurer Earl Phillips and Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp in the top four elected positions in the union. The Board then voted to elevate Stations Division Chair Robert Kelley to Vice President of Stations, and also named Derick Echevarria as Division Chair for CTA's.

Local 100 President Tony Utano said that the Board’s actions “adds a powerful new element to the union’s already strong leadership team.” He said that Brother Whichard “brings an incredible work ethic, an impressive history of community service, and powerful advocacy for transit workers to this new role. I am proud to have him as a new partner in this vital local-wide leadership position. We face some very tough challenges in the months ahead,” said Utano. “With Brother Whichard as Administrative Vice President and the united leadership team of Vice President Robert Kelley and Division Chair Derick Echevarria in Stations, we are better prepared to take on whatever comes our way.”

Brother Lynwood Whichard, a Station Agent, has been with NYCT since 1988. He graduated from Boys and Girls HS and attended Boricua College in Brooklyn. Before Transit, he worked in the printing industry as a linotype operator and graphic artist. He was been representing his co-workers for 20 years in a variety of roles, including Shop Steward, Executive Board member, Division Recording Secretary and Vice President. He believes that the union plays a vital role in our members’ lives that goes beyond contracts and grievances. “Our members are dealing with so much in their private lives. It’s important for us to understand each individual’s personal challenges to properly represent them. Overall though, we as a union must provide our members with the peace of mind that their jobs are safe and secure, and that the union always has their backs.”

Brother Whichard is a bit of a Renaissance man. He holds a Black Belt in Aikijujitsu. He started a non-profit community after school and Saturday program in Brooklyn, where he taught reading, writing, martial arts and life skills. In addition, he worked as a site supervisor for many years at one of America’s leading community-based organizations, the Jackie Robinson Center for Physical Culture in Brooklyn.

He has received numerous awards for his community service, including the United States Congressional Award for Outstanding Community Service. In 1993, he was cited by the New York Times as a Positive Role Model in his community. Whichard is also active in the civil rights movement and is a strong supporter of Black Lives Matter. He and his wife of 27 years have six children.

Local 100 Member and Air Force Veteran Kevin Hertell Taking Action to Save Lives

By Pete Donohue
TWU Local 100 Communications

Kevin Hertell likes to fix things. He spent four years repairing and servicing fighter jets as an F-16 Crew Chief with the U.S. Air Force. For the past 13 years, he’s been working on subway trains as a Car Inspector at an overhaul shop in northern Manhattan. And now the skilled mechanic is squaring up to a national problem of epic and tragic proportions: suicides by U.S. military veterans. He has started a non-profit organization, is lobbying for a new state-designated “day of remembrance,” and even designed a new flag for supporters to rally around.

“Most, if not all suicides, are preventable,” he said. “It just requires intervention and treatment. There’s no good reason why we can’t make a difference.” The stigma attached to suicide prevents many people mired in mental distress from seeking the professional help they need. That’s particularly true for those with military training who have been influenced by a “warrior culture” that celebrates physical and mental toughness. But Hertell believes that stigma can be defeated by raising awareness and fostering conversations about the often-taboo subject.

Towards that end, he came up with the idea of having a Sept. 22nd officially designated as Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. September is suicide prevention month. By some estimates, 22 military veterans take their own lives every day. After meeting with Hertell, state Sen. Jen Metzger introduced the necessary legislation last year. The Senate passed the bill in July. Companion legislation is pending in the state Assembly.