photo courtesy ABC-TV

ABC Report: Train Operator Saves a Life

For the second time in less than a week, a Local 100 member from the Rapid Transit Operations department was featured on prime-time television for life-saving actions.

Subway Train Operator Louis-Mark Perry was taking his No. 7 train through a tunnel in Long Island City, Queens, Tuesday when he saw a man wedged up against the wall. Perry hit the brakes and then convinced the disorientated man, who was then in jeopardy of being electrocuted by the third rail, to board the train. "Once he got up into the train I told him, 'I don't know if you're married or if you have kids," Perry told WABC news reporter N.J. Burkett on Wednesday. "But if you do, you need to go home and hug your wife, hug the kids and be thankful you're alive. Because you really, you really could have been killed."

You can watch the episode here.

Just days earlier, Conductor Benjamin Schaeffer quickly evacuated his N train in Brooklyn after learning that an apparently homeless man spilled gasoline onto the floor of one of the cars. Schaeffer was featured on WNBC Channel 4. “I’m proud of how Operator Perry and Conductor Schaeffer handled these life-or-death situations - but I’m not surprised,” TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano said. “We are trained professionals and we do what needs to be done when there is an emergency situation.”

Utano said both men will certainly be in contention for a TWU Local 100 Transit Heroes Award later this year. Transit Heroes will honor Local 100 members who do exceptional deeds for their bus or subway riders, their co-workers or communities.

NBC Report: Conductor Acted Fast to Mitigate Urgent Risk

A veteran Train Conductor, who also serves as a TWU Local 100 Shop Steward, is being praised for taking quick action after a rider spilled gasoline inside his N train Sunday, October 14.

Conductor Benjamin Schaeffer immediately secured his cab and evacuated riders from the Manhattan-bound train after passengers came to his window at the 36thSt. and said an apparently homeless man with a shopping cart stuffed with items spilled the flammable material from a canister. Schaeffer was interviewed by NBC Channel 4 Reporter Andrew Siff. The piece aired Tuesday night at 6 p.m.

"I was proud of him," RTO Vice President Joe Costales said to Siff. "This is what we train to do in a daily emergency situation." See the full report here.

Utano Honored by Coalition of Black Trade Unionists

The NY Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), an organization that has advocated for minority empowerment in the labor movement since 1972, honored TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano as it’s “Man of the Year” on Oct. 12, 2018. Utano received the recognition at the 26th Annual James “Jim” Bell Scholarship Awards Dinner, at which a number of college grants are presented to minority students.

In his acceptance remarks, Utano commended the CBTU’s scholarship program for giving the recipients and their families “a real step up in their goal for a college degree.”  He said that high school diplomas no longer are sufficient in today’s job market.  “Young people today need a college education to insure a decent job and a long career.”

In addition to Utano, the CBTU recognized Mary Sullivan, CSEA Executive Vice President; Barbara Edmonds, Director of Field Operations for DC 37; Attorney Tilker Ziegler and City Council member Ritchie Torres.  City Council member Andy King also attended. The event was hosted by Charles Jenkins, President of the NY Chapter CBTU.  Jenkins is also Director of the TWU Local 100-NYCT Training Upgrading Fund.

In the photo: Local 100 President Tony Utano (center left) at CBTU awards dinner with NY Chapter President Charles Jenkins (center right); Local 100 Administrative Vice President Nelson Rivera; Vice Presidents John Chiarello and Derick Echevarria; LES Chair Duvet Williams; Stations Vice Chair Antonio Roldan; Political Director Michele Gilliam; Jesse Mendosa (Local 100 Honor Guard member); City Council member Andy King and Local 100 staffers Sharase Dubois (PAC), and Emmanuella Mathurin (Office of the Recording Secretary).
 

We Celebrate Russian Heritage in Brighton Beach

TWU Local 100 leadership joined hundreds of our Brothers and Sisters of Russian heritage at our annual celebratory banquet and night of entertainment at Tatiana's in Brighton Beach. As you can see from the photos, the evening did not disappoint!

Union Files Civil Service Lawsuit on Behalf of Station Agents

OCTOBER 12 – TWU Local 100 Stations Vice President Derick Echevarria, President Tony Utano, and Station Agents who are provisional in their title have filed a joint lawsuit against New York City Transit demanding relief under civil service law.

The court action, filed in New York County Supreme Court, seeks to force NYCT to create a certified hiring list based on an exam given to prospective Station Agents late in 2015. The lawsuit says the Transit Authority violated the law by not creating a hiring list, allowing approximately 300 new hires to be unlawfully carried as provisional employees for years. Additionally, other people who took the competitive test and chose not to begin employment with NYCT are also entitled to a place on a civil service list.

Stations VP Derick Echevarria said: “Transit did not create a civil service list as required by law for our Station Agents. Other transit titles were hired from civil service lists within the last two years – but no civil service list for Station Agents has been forthcoming. We’re going to court to get this fixed.”  He said that a wave of new hires brought in to staff the 2nd Avenue subway do not have civil service protections. “Civil Service appointments create job tenure rights, which provisional employees do not enjoy. That’s why this litigation is important.”
 

Westchester County Executive Latimer Signs Historic Sick Leave Bill Backed by TWU

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12 --  TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano released the following statement after Westchester County Executive George Latimer signed the Earned Paid Sick Leave Law:

"This a big win for TWU Local 100 members working in Westchester. The Earned Paid Sick Time Law mandates companies to provide workers with paid sick time off – for up to 40 hours a year (as long as they have worked the required amount of time during the year.)  Under the law, employees earn one hour of paid sick time off for every 30 hours worked. After working 150 hours, for example, an employee would be eligible to get paid for 5 hours of sick time. After working 240 hours, an employee would be able to call in sick and get paid for an 8-hour shift. The employer can’t require scheduling such time off days in advance. What this means for you is that the terms of the law will be implemented during the next contract with your employer.

"TWU Local 100, however, retains the right to bargain other benefit(s) during negotiations – on terms that benefit TWU’s membership.  As new contracts are negotiated, the benefits of this law will be taken into account. Some Local 100 contracts already have paid days off that workers can take without advance notice or scheduling (sick day, floating holiday, etc). The new law says that unscheduled paid time off counts towards the earned sick leave requirement. Local 100 fought hard for the passage of this law. It will help working people throughout Westchester County, not just TWU members.  This new law is another example of how the TWU’s commitment to working people extends beyond Local 100’s membership and helps those who may become our members in the future."

Big Bus Washington Approves Union Contract, 47-1

OCTOBER 12 -- Big Bus Washington Tour Bus Operators overwhelmingly approved a contract negotiated by TWU Local 100 last weekend. The tally was 47 in favor, 1 against. President Tony Utano came in to close negotiations in New York leading to the final agreement. The pact had been approved by the Local 100 Executive Board on September 5 and was then submitted to ratification by the members at Big Bus Washington.

Among the provisions of the new agreement are 7 paid holidays, job protections and safeguards against unfair discipline, increased company contributions to the employee medical plan, and weekly and annual attendance bonuses.

Representing the negotiating committee at the Exec Board ratification was Big Bus Operator Jonathan Williams, Sr., (in checked shirt) who is pictured next to Private Lines Division Chair Carlos Bernabel. With the union leadership including (l-r) Administrative VP Nelson Rivera, President Tony Utano, Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp, and Secretary Treasurer Earl Phillips. Next to Brother Rivera is Manny Agosto, an Executive Board member representing Liberty Lines in Westchester. At far right is Private Lines VP Pete Rosconi.

Big Bus is one of the world's largest open top double decker tour bus companies, with fleets in 20 cities in 11 countries.

Union Wins Sick Time Restoration for Transit 9/11 Responders

In a decision reached on October 5, transit managers acted to restore sick time to Bus Operator Anthony Tousius, who became sick with a 9/11 related illness in 2011 and had to use his own sick time to recover. Brother Tousius was granted restoration of 56 days of sick time pursuant to recently-passed legislation, codified in NY General Municipal Law Section 92-d, which says state agencies, authorities, and municipalities outside of New York City must honor sick time requests as non-chargeable by employees who have verified 9/11 related ailments.

As this article in the Chief-Leader shows, Brother Tousius initially was denied restoration of sick leave until TWU Local 100 took up his case, first filing a grievance under the direction of TA Surface VP JP Patafio, and then handing off final negotiations to Local 100 President Tony Utano.

On hearing of the decision on October 5, brother Tousius wrote this letter to Brother Utano:

"Dear Sir, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to you and your steadfast efforts to secure my sick time in a timely fashion. Your faith in my campaign helped sustain me in my own struggle to get this done. My thanks also to J Patafio for being the direct liaison between management and myself. A special thanks goes to James Manzella for being the one who encouraged me from the very beginning. All of you were there for me and I will never forget this as long as I live.

Sir, I fervently hope that all others in all titles throughout civil service will be afforded the same expert help and advice in their quest for recognition in the face of the law. Thank you all. God bless the TWU and all involved. Sincerely Yours, Anthony Tousius. B/O. NYCTA."

The decision in the Tousius case means that other TWU Local 100 members who are in a similar situation can also have their sick time restored if it was improperly withheld.

Click here for the Chief article.

TWU Marches Proudly in the Columbus Day Parade

President Utano giving interviews to the media after Andre Chandler's request for a bail reduction was denied by the judge.

TWU Packs Courtroom for Arraignment of Bus Attacker

OCTOBER 4, 2018 -- TWU Local 100 packed a Brooklyn courtroom for the arraignment of a man who sprayed a mace-like liquid at a B15 Bus Operator – and then released pepper spray on another B15 bus hours later. Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Martin Murphy took notice of the large Local 100 contingent in his courtroom Thursday morning.

“We have a full audience here today, mostly from the Transport Workers Union,” Murphy noted. He then refused to lower Andrew Chandler’s $30,000 cash or bond bail.

Local 100 President Tony Utano then addressed reporters waiting in the hallway for comment. “I don’t have any sympathy for anybody that attacks a transit worker,” Utano said. “We come here to do a job and go home safe to our family. We don’t come here to do a job and go to the hospital.” Utano said Local 100 would press the NYPD to pay attention to buses and provide a police presence to serve as a deterrent. Local 100 also will continue to distribute its Most Wanted posters, he said. “If you assault a transit worker, we’re coming after you,” Utano said.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez summarized Chandler’s crimes in a press release: On August 23, 2018, at approximately 4 a.m., Chandler boarded a B15 bus without paying the fare. The Bus Operator allowed him to remain on the bus, and Chandler requested a stop near the corner of Rockaway and Hageman Aves. in Brownsville.

The Bus Operator observed construction in the way and advised Chandler that he would have to pull up a little further up the street. Chandler then allegedly pulled out a canister and sprayed the partition with a noxious substance, causing the Bus Operator to choke and suffer burning to his eyes.
A passenger who attempted to board the bus also started choking and tearing up. Chandler fled. The driver was treated at Brookdale Hospital.
Later that day, at about 4:30 p.m., Chandler allegedly boarded another B15 bus. At the corner of East 98thSt. and Blake Ave. in Brownsville, he allegedly pulled out a pepper spray canister and started spraying the bus, causing passengers to exit as they coughed and teared up. Chandler fled, and the driver pursued him while calling 911. The Bus Operator observed Chandler throw the canister in a garbage can before returning to tend to the passengers. A police officer later found a can of Counter Assault Bear Deterrent, a type ofpepper spray, in the garbage can.

A Brooklyn grand jury indicted Chandler on assault, reckless endangerment and other charges. He faces up to seven years if convicted of the top felony count, prosecutors said. "Transit workers provide invaluable services to our city and I am fully committed to protecting them,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in the press release.

Leon “Sonny” George, #1 Train Operator, 77, Laid to Rest in Brooklyn

OCTOBER 1 -- Leon George, first in seniority among Train Operators working for New York City Transit, was escorted to his final resting place by family and friends after a heartfelt funeral service at the Guarino Funeral Home in Canarsie, Brooklyn. The 47-year NYCT veteran was remembered as a loving man by family members and as an example of professionalism by his co-workers.

Some 600 rank and file union members attended the five-hour viewing on Sunday, September 30th. The funeral service was held at 10 AM on Monday, October 1. In brief remarks, RTO Vice President Joe Costales recalled how George came up to him one day at Stillwell terminal where he was driving the F train. “He knew me as the union man,” Costales told the mourners. “And he asked me how to fill out a sick form. I couldn’t believe it – he had at the time over 30 years on the job and had never taken a day off.” Costales added that Local 100 is in discussions with management to get a facility named after George to honor his life of service to transit.

Local 100 President Tony Utano attended both the viewing and the funeral along with other top officers. The union arranged for two NYCT buses to transport members to the viewing. The TWU/MTA Ceremonial Unit displayed their usual high level of professionalism at the event and escorted the casket from the funeral home as Brother George went to his final resting place after Monday’s service.

TWU Celebrates Chinese-American Transit Workers

700 Chinese-American transit workers turned out for the union's 4th annual Mid-Autumn Festival in Sunset Park last Friday, the 21st. Our top four officers -- President Utano, Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips, Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp, and Admin VP Nelson Rivera -- were on hand for the food and festivities, which included a ceremonial dragon dance and a lot of karaoke from our members. Enjoy the slide show!

TWU Fighting Back

by Pete Donohue

Anger. Disgust. Frustration.
That series of emotions often follows news that another transit worker was punched, spat upon, cursed out, struck with a bottle, splashed with an unknown liquid, or subjected to some other form of foul abuse. Those feelings can be even more intense when there’s an iPhone or surveillance camera recording, like the one posted on Facebook last month showing a man and woman beating an A-train conductor because service was being rerouted.  It’s even more real and troublesome when you actually see such reprehensible behavior.

That’s why it felt good to be at the end of the No. 5 line in the Bronx a few weeks ago passing out TWU Local 100’s first-ever “Most Wanted” poster, hoping a rider would recognize one of the individuals and call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline. The posters feature images of suspects police believe attacked transit workers but have eluded arrest. As Local 100 President Utano told the media, “We’re fighting back against these criminals. If you attack one of our members, we are going to do everything in our power to make sure you are identified, arrested and prosecuted.”

Brooklyn D.A. Gonzalez Joins Union’s Fight for a Safer Workplace

TWU Local 100 has a powerful new partner in the fight against assaults on transit workers. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez joined Local 100 President Tony Utano to record a radio spot to be aired on local New York City AM radio stations.

In the spot, Gonzalez says that “assaulting a transit worker is a felony. And if it happens in Brooklyn, I will aggressively prosecute these cases.”

Utano responds: “Transit workers don’t cause delays. Anger towards them is totally misplaced.”

This is the fifth spot in the union’s media campaign to highlight the contributions of transit workers to New York City; the dangers they face on the job, and how the union transform people’s lives.

This is the first spot that specifically targets assaults on transit workers. Listen to it by clicking on the link above.

Chief Edward Delatorre (front, wearing uniform hat) stands with TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano and Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips along with other personnel

NYPD Transit Bureau Heeds Utano’s Call for Increased Protection for Workers

Local 100 President Tony Utano’s aggressive push-back against assaults has scored a major win for safety on the job.

Chief Edward Delatorre, head of the NYPD’s Transit Bureau, outlined a new policing strategy at a meeting on Sept. 18, 2018 with Utano, Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips, and other union leaders that he pledged would provide increased protection for Train Crews and other transit workers in the subway system. Delatorre said that the new approach will include tighter coordination of police resources and greater interaction between Police Officers and Train Crews.

Delatorre told Utano that he wants his Officers to get to know the Train Crews through interaction with them at crew quarters and terminals. He also said that the Bureau intends to facilitate better communication between train crews and Police to help prevent potential crimes or to respond more quickly to a crime in progress. He praised Local 100 for its new anti-assault tactic of posting “Most Wanted” fliers in the subways. He said the union’s posters serve as a deterrent to those who might think of taking out their frustrations on a transit worker.

In addition to the “Most Wanted” posters, Local 100 has partnered with NYCT in pressing the union’s case against assaults through the media. The NYPD’s Transit Bureaus comprise 12 transit districts, located within or adjacent to the subway system, and overseen by three borough commands: Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Bronx/Queens. The Bureau, he explained, also has a number of specialized units including three borough Task Forces, an Anti-Terrorism Unit, Citywide Vandals Task Force, Canine Unit, Special Projects Unit, and MetroCard Fraud Task Force.

The Police Captains in charge of the 12 Transit Bureau Districts also attended the meeting, which was held at 130 Livingston St. in Brooklyn. The NYPD’s Transit Bureau only covers the subway system. Utano said he will be facilitating additional meetings between the union and borough commands to address safety in the bus system.