Union Honors Transit 9/11 Responders

TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano marked the 17th anniversary of the rescue and recovery effort at Ground Zero by honoring five transit workers, who have verified illnesses caused by their service at Ground Zero. Honored with the union's 9/11 service medal were CTA Gwendolyn Broughton, Structure Maintainer Dennis Buccello, Trackworker Dan Demody, Structure Maintainer Bobby Nash, and Track Specialist Johnny Sparks. Each of them has had a claim for victim's compensation because of 9/11 illness accepted by the federal government. In addition, more than a dozen other workers received 9/11 recognition pins from the union. Recognition pins are given to those transit workers who participated in the rescue and recovery effort. In all, about 3,000 TWU Local 100 members were either assigned to duty at Ground Zero or volunteered to help.

In his remarks, President Utano recounted the false promise by then EPA administrator Christine Todd Whitman, who assured responders that air at the WTC site was safe to breathe. He recounted the sacrifice of thousands of transit workers who risked their health in the response and pledged to continue to push for public recognition of the role of transit workers at Ground Zero. Assemblyman Peter Abbate, Chair of the Governmental Employees Committee, who sponsored New York State's bill to compensate 9/11 workers for health care expenses, also spoke. He told the audience of transit workers that there is still more work to do in assisting those who responded. He also said that he would work to have the 9/11 transit response recognized both in the state's museum in Albany and also in the 9/11 memorial museum in lower Manhattan.

Read the Daily News's coverage of 9/11 related transit worker deaths here.

New York State has extended the deadline to file for workers' compensation benefits until September 11, 2022. For more information, see a workers' comp attorney.

Union Push Ends Aetna-Montefiore Standoff

West Indian Day Parade a Big Party for TWU

SEPTEMBER 3 -- Hundreds of transit workers and their families converged on Eastern Parkway on Labor Day to celebrate New York's biggest parade -- celebrating the Caribbean heritage of so many union members and New Yorkers. Local 100's contingent featured exuberant dancers, a large union float, the TWU Local 100 van showcasing our workers, and an antique City bus. We proudly marched with Governor Andrew Cuomo, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Assemblywoman Rodnyese Bichotte, and other friends of Local 100. The joy was apparent throughout, as you will see in these photos!

Exec Board Approves Contract for Big Bus Washington

SEPTEMBER 5 -- The TWU Local 100 Executive Board today unanimously approved a negotiated contract between the Union and Big Bus Tours of Washington, DC. If ratified by the membership, benefits will include a raise of $10,000 for each Bus Operator.

Representing the negotiating committee 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.

Police Capture B15 Bus Mace Assailant; Union Pledges to Keep the Pressure On

At 12 AM this morning, the Daily News reported the capture of Andre Chandler, 46, in spraying attacks against two Bus Operators represented by TWU Local 100. Read the entire story in the Daily News here. TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano said, "We have been working with the NYPD and the MTA to get menaces like this off the street, so this is a satisfying development. The B15 is safer today for our bus operators — and for our bus riders — than it was yesterday. We're going to keep the pressure on and continue to distribute photos of suspects so that there are more arrests like this. No one who assaults a transit worker should ever get away with it.”

Molinaro Plan to "Fix" the MTA a Non-Starter

After reviewing Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Molinaro's plan to "fix" the MTA, TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano had the following statement, which was also covered in the New York Post:

"The Molinaro plan for the MTA is a total non-starter that relies on faulty statistics, and a vicious anti-union theory that workers are overcompensated for their labor.

"The core of the Molinaro plan would slash wages and benefits for a transit workforce that is laboring 24 hours a day 7 days a week to operate and improve the system, while fending off assaults and dodging the incredible day-to-day dangers on the job.  Just this week, one Trackworker nearly lost his life after an accident on the tracks, and yet another was the target of a mace assault.
 
"These are daily occurrences that Molinaro obviously doesn't take into consideration or he simply doesn't care.  If he did a ride-along for one night with a Bus Operator or Train Crew, or stood alongside Trackworkers laboring near live third rails and live train traffic, he might change his tune.  Molinaro's scheme is just cribbing nonsense from anti-worker sources.  He obviously doesn't have a clue what goes on in transit."

Fourth Spot in Union’s Radio Campaign Now On Air

Photo Above: Latasha Goodall, Local 100 President Tony Utano and 1010 WINS/CBS Radio Producer/Engineer David Plotkin.

TWU Local 100 launched its fourth in a series of radio spots on New York’s “Most Listened to Radio Station” 1010 WINS. This one features Latasha Goodall, a veteran Cleaner who is now on a new career path after completing the 6-month TWU Local 100/NYCT Apprentice program at Apex Technical School in Long Island City. The spots all highlight how transit workers contribute mightily to New York City both on and off the job. Here’s Latasha…

TWU, MTA Hold Joint Press Conference on Worker Assaults

AUGUST 14 – TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano and MTA NYCT President Andy Byford held a news conference today addressing the latest round of attacks on transit workers. They discussed a pilot program on body cams and the joint effort to widely distribute a wanted poster with images of the perpetrators.

Union Sponsors Grievance, Steward Training for Big Bus, GoNY Tours Reps

Local 100 sponsored a day-long training session at the union hall for section representatives from Big Bus New York and GoNY Tours on Aug. 13, 2018.  The Big Bus reps include Mark Williams, Mike Nuñez, Brien Milesi and Paul Stewart.  Daniel Morales attended from GoNY.  Local 100 President Tony Utano (center rear) and Division Chair Carlos Bernabel (center front) were on hand for the graduation.  Instructor Robert Wechsler is at the far right. 

We Step Out at the Domincan Day Parade

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 -- With dignitaries including NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, and New York's distinguished Dominican American legislators, Congressman Adriano Espaillat and State Senator Marisol Alcantara, TWU Local 100 rank and file enjoyed a festive breakfast and a joyful parade up 6th Avenue. The union's top leadership, including Local 100 President Tony Utano and International President John Samuelsen led our contingent. Enjoy the photos here:

Union Releases New Wanted Poster After Brutal Attack on A Train

MONDAY, AUGUST 13 -- TWU Local 100 this afternoon will begin distributing Most Wanted posters along the A line urging riders to identify a man who repeatedly punched a subway conductor Saturday morning at the Grant Ave. station in Brooklyn.
A Local 100 representative was dispatched to meet with the Conductor immediately after the crime was reported, and the Conductor came to the Union Hall Monday morning where he met with Local 100 President Tony Utano and RTO VP Joe Costales. Utano and Costales made sure the Conductor is getting all the assistance he needs in dealing with the Transit Authority. Union staffers also are assisting the NYPD in preparing an official NYPD Wanted Poster for distribution to the media.
The attack, which took place at approximately 4:40 a.m., was videotaped by at least one bystander and posted on Facebook. The Conductor suffered a black eye, and scratches to his face and arms.
The Conductor announced the train was going express and stopped at the Grant Ave. station when suddenly the man appeared at his window. “This young gentlemen came up on me yelling and screaming, and before I could say anything he was throwing punches at me,” the Conductor said.
Producing a TWU Local 100 Most Wanted Poster to shed more light on unsolved cases involving attacks on transit workers is “definitely a good idea,” the Conductor, who requested anonymity, said. “Once you start identifying these people, and they see they won’t be anonymous anymore, maybe it will cut down on the number of them being so brazen.”
Utano directed Local 100 staff to begin distributing the poster on the A line.
“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,” Utano said. “We’re fighting back against these criminals.”

Local 100 Holds Drawing for 2018 Scholarship Grants

The drawing for $80,000 worth of scholarship grants for the children and grandchildren of Local 100 members was held at the union hall on August 1 in the Michael J. Quill Conference Room. Officers, staff and members gathered for the drawing, sponsored by the TWU Local 100-M3 Technology Scholarship Program. The 2018 awards will include six $5,000 grants and fifty $1,000 grants. Winners names will be announced after the Trustees verify eligibility. Among those in photo are President Tony Utano, Secretary Treasurer Earl Phillips and Trustee Shannon Poland.

19 Apprentices Graduate Upward Advancement Program to Transit Electrical Helper Titles

On Tuesday, July 31, 2018, the second class of the TWU Local 100 Upward Advancement Program graduated from the Apex Technical School’s program on electrical theory, wiring and motors.

One day later, on Aug. 1, 2018, the 19 graduates started in their new higher paying titles in MOW as Transit Electrical Helper.

But for the past six months, the group of former Cleaners, Traffic Checkers and TPPA’s, attended the intense 900-hour program at the region’s top trade school. During the training, the candidates are paid their full transit salary. After graduating, they are guaranteed a budgeted transit position, and will spend the next three years in an apprentice status before being elevated to full journeyman.

Local 100 President Tony Utano praised the graduates for their efforts and joked, “now that you completed this program, you’re going to be getting a lot of calls from your relatives, saying ‘hey my light is out, hey, I need a new switch installed.’”

Utano said that the entire union is looking to the graduates to be successful in their new roles. “Your success,” said Utano, “will enable us to grow the program, so that others can receive the same opportunity as you.” He said that the next class in the fall with have 34 candidates. “This is a good thing,” said Utano, “this is what unions do.”

Executive Board Endorses James for NYS Attorney General

Tish James with the union’s top four officers. From left are: Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp, Admin. VP Nelson Rivera, President Tony Utano, Tish James, Secretary Treasurer Earl Phillips.

Letitia ‘Tish’ James made a special guest visit to the July Local 100 Executive Board meeting and she was rewarded with a unanimous endorsement for her bid to become the next New York State Attorney General.

The vote was 37-0 to endorse Ms. James, who is currently the New York City Public Advocate. Local 100 President Tony Utano said that the endorsement was “an easy choice, as the unanimous vote of the Board indicates. Tish James has been there for transit families and all of New York’s working families her entire political career. She has an impeccable record of service to our City and she will make a great Attorney General.”

The Local 100 Executive Board voted unanimously to endorse Tish James for NYS Attorney General.

New Radio Spot Features Bus Operator Tarek Abdelghany

1010 WINS is now airing the third in a series of one-minute radio spots, produced by TWU Local 100, highlighting how transit workers move New York City and contribute on and off the job to our communities. President Tony Utano introduced the series by talking about the hazards faced by transit workers every day. The new spot features recently retired Brooklyn Bus Operator Tarek Abdelghany, who arrived from Eqypt in 1985 knowing no one in New York and with few financial resources. He happily announces in the spot that his son, Mohammed, will be attending Harvard Law School.

You can hear the spot on 1010 WINS throughout the day and right here.