Chicago Bikeshare Workers Filing for Election

Union seeks to represent Divvy workers

Chicago’s bikeshare workers (Divvy) have joined their counterparts in New York (Citibike), Boston (Hubway) and Washington, D.C. (Capital Bike) in seeking union representation with TWU Local 100.

A group of Divvy workers delivered a majority of signed union authorization cards to management this week demanding voluntary recognition. Management refused to accept the cards. The workers countered by filing for an election with the National Labor Relations Board.

Bikeshare workers in Boston and Washington, D.C. have done similarly.

Local 100 has already won voluntary recognition for New York’s bikeshare workers.

However, big changes came to Alta Bicycle Share, the company that runs bikeshare in all four cities this week. The company has a new owner, an infusion of cash, and a new boss — former MTA CEO Jay Walder. The Walder-led group, from Equinox Fitness, a division of real estate giant, The Related Companies, promised a long range plan to expand Citibike service in New York. But the takeover also seems to have hardened management’s attitude toward unionization.

Local 100 President John Samuelsen said that TWU would approach the new management group “with an open mind.”

“We intend to win recognition, whether by NLRB election or voluntary recognition at cities throughout the country,” Samuelsen added. “In the end, we intend to have contracts for the workers in New York and the other cities we are organizing in.”

In Interview, President Samuelsen Outlines National Bikeshare Campaign

In an interview given to the website LaborPress, President Samuelsen touched on key elements of the TWU's organizing campaign which is moving to BikeShare properties around the nation.

Three Transit Workers Hurt, One Seriously, in Arc Explosion

TWU Local 100 Power Distribution Maintainer Wilbert Cummings suffered serious burns to his right hand, face and legs in a third rail explosion early this morning (Oct. 30, 2014) at a FASTRACK job site at Union Square.  Two other Local 100 members and a Transit Supervisor suffered less serious flash burns.

Local 100 President John Samuelsen, MOW Vice President Tony Utano, Track Division Chair Paul Navarro and Local 100 Staff Representative Jay Carrasco visited Brother Cummings at the NYU-Cornell Medical Center Burn Unit on E. 68th Street.  Samuelsen assured Cummings and his partner, Shivone, that the union would be with them every step of the way during the recovery period. Brother Cummings appeared in good spirits.  He said that the initial “considerable pain” from the accident had eased with treatment and medication. After the visit, President Samuelsen was interviewed by NY1 Transit Reporter Jose Martinez outside the hospital.

Samuelsen said that transit workers “are the unsung heroes of this city.” “We take precautions, we take many safety precautions,” Samuelsen said, “but ultimately, at the end of the day, industrial accidents will occur when you’re dealing with this environment of iron and steel, and adjacent train traffic. The third rail is incredibly dangerous when it’s live. We work around it every night and, in all honesty, it’s miraculous that there are the low amount of accidents on the railroad tracks that there are, considering the environment that we work in,” he concluded.

NYCT Police provided Shivone with a car to the couple’s home in Brooklyn.  “I want to make him some soup and bring it back this afternoon.  This is very nerve wracking, but I feel a little better now than when I first got the call that Wilbert had been hurt,” she said.

Frank Gurrera, in blue shirt and TWU cap. CIOH Chair Horace Briggs is to his left in white shirt.

Machinist Frank Gurrera, Still Working at 90, Celebrates His Birthday at the Shop

OCTOBER 29 -- Over a hundred rank and file workers at Brooklyn's Car Equipment Coney Island Overhaul Shop paused from their duties to honor Machinist Frank Gurrera who turned 90 today. Gurrera, a WWII Veteran, was saluted by the Daily News on October 21 and nominated for a "Hometown Heroes in Transit" Award. But the recognition that meant the most came from hundreds of his co-workers, who shut down work for a festive lunch. Dozens took photos with their ipads and phones to mark the occasion, and many signed a huge birthday card. The event was coordinated by Shop Chair Horace Briggs, who MC'd the event along with former CIOH Chair Richie Rivera. Then Frank went back to his workbench, where he most recently fabricated a new gate for one of NYCT's vacuum trains which had been broken in service. Because the vacuum train manufacturer is no longer in business, we have to create new parts in the shop, and that's where Frank Gurrero excels. A widower of just one year, Frank reports to work every day at CIOH just as he has for 44 years. He describes himself a a union man for 51 years counting previous employment in a machine shop. He proudly wore a TWU cap today and -- a man of few words -- briefly thanked everyone for attending before the lunch ended.

Phil "Five Boro" Rosen just retired after 24 years as a Bus Operator at Gleason Depot. He enjoyed the membership meeting at the hall.

TWU Retirees Throng Hall for Mass Membership Meeting

OCTOBER 28 -- Hundreds of transit retirees came to Brooklyn for a bustling Mass Membership Meeting at our new Union Hall. They heard from Retiree's Director Mike Tutrone and his able staff including Shalena Lindsey and Stacy Luke as well as hearing greetings from TWU Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips and our Recording Secretary, LaTonya Crisp-Sauray. RTO Vice President Kevin Harrington gave a rousing speech in which he told the assembled retirees that it is only now, when he is close to retirement age, that he can look back and see the big picture about what the continual, day by day trade union fight leads up to -- a much better standard of living on the job and in retirement. He urged retirees to stay involved, stay militant, and stay committed to the cause -- and to get out and support those who support the union cause. Executive Board Member Mario Galvet presented the Union's 9/11 recognition program, where we are attempting to obtain deserved recognition for the many transit workers who labored at Ground Zero. Rosey Allen, longtime Depot Chair at Gun Hill, drew winning raffle tickets that netted retiree Emily Allen (no relation) a flat screen TV. Veterans Committee head Phil Caruana invited all TWU Vets to our upcoming dinner on November 13th. Retirees also heard from a host of vendors and supporters of the Union, including M3 Technologies, CMSW's Lisa-Marie Nero, John Dearie, and others. If you're a "retiree in training" (that is, an active member), come on by to the Union Hall and meet Mike and his staff and get ready to join the Retiree's Association which brings benefits and the opportunity to reunite with old friends at our many events throughout the year.

Fhar Miess, who supervises the bike checking team at Capital Bikeshare, is helping workers to join a union. (Lydia DePillis/The Washington Post)

The Washington Post: Workers, TWU build "a nationwide Bikeshare powerhouse"

Bikeshare workers in NYC and Boston have received national coverage. Now the District of Columbia takes its turn, as the Washington Post's Lydia DePillis writes about the TWU drive at Capital Bikeshare.

President Samuelsen  told the Washington Post, "We’ve achieved the success that we have right now because we realized that the Bikeshare system in New York was a growing and vital part of the existing intermodal transit system. We intend to use our political muscle to advance the bikeshare industry"

Check out DePillis's article:

D.C. Bikeshare workers look to unionize - and build a nationwide Bikeshare powerhouse

A Update from John Samuelsen to the TWU Local 100 Membership on Ebola and Infection Control Procedures

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24

Brothers and Sisters:

As has been reported, I have been speaking intensively with the MTA over the last two days since an Ebola patient was identified in New York City who rode the transit system. Our greatest concern of course is the well being of our members and our families.  My discussions with the MTA have focused on infection control procedures, especially that the rules requiring the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) are up to date. The MTA has now issued new and stronger regulations.  

We must stay safe at work. The MTA must provide us with proper personal protective equipment to safely perform our work.  No TWU Local 100 member should attempt to clean or remove infectious waste (bodily fluids or materials containing bodily fluids) without having the prescribed PPE.  Personal Protective Equipment includes  "Gloves, Tyvek suits, face shields and boots, that protect the wearer from sources of exposure." (Page 9, Infection Control Policy 10.15.4) Above is the link to the MTA's updated regulations specifying what protective equipment is required. Additionally, the MTA has released a brief statement which gives additional information about infection control equipment and procedures. Also, MTA CEO Thomas Prendergast sent out a memo today about how to avoid infection from Ebola.

In a situation where bodily fluids or infectious waste contaminates your work location, you should notify supervision immediately. If you are ordered to work in direct contact with body fluids without proper PPE, request a safety challenge form and call your union rep. Don't jeopardize your health, the health of your family, or that of the riding public. Further instructions can be obtained from your Department or from the TWU Local 100 Safety Department. You can also find more documentation about how to protect yourself from infectious disease on our website at www.twulocal100.org. Use the search function to search for "ebola."

Fraternally,
John Samuelsen, President

Congressman Charles Rangel Speaks at Political Breakfast Sponsored in Part by TWU Local 100

New York's senior Congressman, Charles Rangel, spoke at a political breakfast about unions, their role and influence, and the fact that our movement holds the only key to a future of greater equality for Americans. TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen gave opening remarks at the event, which also featured President of the New York State AFL-CIO Mario Cilento. Here is an excerpt from the Congressman's remarks.

William's brother Alex, center, stands with family including widow Nancy Rodriguez, far right.

Pena Case Delayed Again as Family Waits for Justice

At about 2:15 on Wednesday defendant Domonic Whilby was let by court officers into Part 32 of New York State Supreme Court at 100 Centre Street. No lawyer was there to argue his case. Justice Gregory Carro asked Whilby if he had counsel, and Whilby replied that he thought he did. Noting the lack of anyone stepping up to represent the accused killer of Bus Operator William Pena, Carro told Whilby to "make some phone calls," and be back in his court in one week, on October 29th to defend himself. This latest delay added to the frustration being felt by Pena's widow, Nancy Rodriguez, and her family, who were in court. TWU Local 100 Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp-Sauray attended court for the union, along with OA Division 1 Chair Richie Davis and Vice Chair Don Yates. Rank and file members also showed  up to support the family. We're doing it again next week.

Transit Hits Ridership Record

Take a bow, brothers and sisters. NYC Transit carried a record 149 million subway passengers in September. They couldn't do it without you.

See Pete Donohue's Daily News story here.

Train Operator Omar Velez is recognized by Chief of Subways Joe Leader and Local 100 RTO Chair Joe Costales

Train Operators Who Prevented Accidents Get Special Call to Rail HQ

OCTOBER 17 -- Five veteran TWU Local 100 Train Operators were summoned to NYCT's Rail Control Center this morning without explanation -- and were relieved to find themselves honored for preventing accidents in the subway system. Each of the five -- Omar Velez, Schneider Francois, Jason Vrahatis, Emeterio Rodriguez, and Vance Greaves -- got breakfast, a nice certificate presented by Chief of Subways Joe Leader, a pin, and a rare opportunity to spend an hour in a relaxed way talking with top MTA brass. TWU Local 100 RTO  Chair Joe Costales also recognized the men on behalf of the Union. Subways VP for Service Delivery John Gaul lauded the men for their "free exchange of information" about hazards they noticed. Said Vice President and Chief Officer of MOW Wynton Habersham: "You know your lines. You know what's right and what's not quite right. You know what doesn't feel right. You know what doesn't sound right." Typical of the stories was that of Train Operator Omar Velez, who heard a thump that didn't sound right, stopped his #7 train, and called the Rail Control Center. A crew went out on the tracks and found a defect on the rail that could have caused a serious accident.

Ebola Guidance

The New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH), has released a three-page guidance document on Ebola Virus Disease and how workers can protect themselves. TWU Local 100 considers this reliable and effective information for our members. A NYCOSH staff member was present for the union at a recent briefing on Ebola with MTA management. Members are advised to download and review the information in this document and contact the TWU Health and Safety Department if you have additional questions. On Thursday, NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that there will be random drills in the subway system to anticipate response in the event of an infected person. Read more about that here. The Governor also praised transit workers for being ready to respond to the threat, saying "This is not in their job description. It's not what you sign up for when you're a transit worker."

TWU Represents at Breast Cancer Walk 2014

The TWU Local 100 Women's Committee and supporters met on October 19th at Flatbush Avenue and Empire Blvd to support this important cause. There's still time to contribute to the TWU Local 100 Team. Thank you.

Globe Article Supports Our BikeShare Efforts in Boston

A prominent article in the Boston Globe says the city's bikeshare program -- called Hubway -- is great for riders and the community -- but urges that management support a better deal for their own workers. The column by Derrick Z. Jackson touts Hubway's "good green jobs" but is a straightforward appeal to fix the one thing that's broken -- worker complaints about "unpredictable and disruptive last-minute scheduling, being told they’re not needed after being called in, too many repairs for too few mechanics, unsafe rental vans when the company vans are out of service, and $15 wages that often seem low given the precision, organization, and safety required in some of the company’s jobs." Funny, those are exactly the same complaints that New York City Bike Share workers, who just unionized with TWU Local 100, are making! We're looking forward to making the lives of Hubway workers better, and expanding into other bikeshares as well.

Local 100 Celebrates Its 2014 Russian American Heritage Day

TWU Local 100’s annual celebration of Russian heritage brought a capacity crowd on Saturday to Tatiana Restaurant in Brighton Beach. Over 700 union members enjoyed a festive evening with dancing, entertainment, and speeches from key political figures. TWU’s Russian Day is becoming a must-attend for much of the City’s political establishment, showing the power of the union. Enjoy these photos from the event.

Winners of the Raffle Drawings

• First Prize, a tablet: Ticket #1005, held by Merkin
• Second Prize, a spa day for 2 at Sandoony Bana: Ticket #427, held by Mark
• Third Prize, dinner for 2 at Tatiana Restaurant: Ticket #623, held by E. Sokolovich