Outstanding Letter from a Rider Says it All

 A letter published in the Staten Island Advance by New Yorker Jean Prabhu talks about the kindness, consideration and professionalism shown by Bus Operators both during the 9/11 attack at now, during the time of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

She says in part, "Now, we face another crisis and transit workers show the same bravery and competence that they showed on 9/11. This time, they repeatedly risk their lives and health for us by showing up. They get our health care workers and delivery people and grocery store workers where they need to be to keep us all going."

Her letter strikes a blow for us as essential workers and explodes the idea that automation can ever come to replace us. You can download a printable copy here.

Clinton Hinds, CI at Jamiaca Barn, is Lost to Covid 19

CED members at the Jamaica Barn are mourning the loss of Car Inspector Clinton Hinds to the Coronvirus on April 29, 2020.  He had been on the job for 13 years. Shop Chair Vincenzo Milillo said that Brother Hinds “was a good man.  He always tried to help other workers.”

Local 100 Signs Stipulation Guaranteeing No Loss of Pay for Bus Operators During COVID Schedule Changes

Local 100 President Tony Utano and the Vice Presidents of the three bus divisions have negotiated a stipulation with MaBSTOA, TA Surface and MTA Bus, that guarantees Bus Operators WILL NOT LOSE PAY due to schedule changes during the Covid 19 emergency.
 
The stipulation states that Bus Operators working Vacation Reliefs or the Extra list will be paid the greater of either Division Pay or the work assigned to them during the Covid emergency schedules.
 
The agreement also states that all other Bus Operators will get the greater of either their Winter 2020 pick pay or the pay resulting from their assignment during the COVID emergency. The stipulation is retroactive to the implementation of the pandemic schedules.
 
Local 100 President Utano said that the agreement "is a good win for all Bus Operators across the three divisions.  Our Operators have been performing heroically during this pandemic, and it would be a travesty if workers lost pay due to no fault of their own."
 

Grand Avenue Bus Operator Christopher N. Howard Is Lost to Virus

Grand Avenue Depot has lost another union brother to the Coronavirus.  Bus Operator Christopher Neil Howard, 52, died on May 3, 2020 after a battle with the deadly disease.  He had nearly 22 years on the job.  He is the second Grand Avenue Bus Operator to succumb to the virus, the first being Cesar Torres in early April. Friends from the Depot began posting their condolences on Facebook when his passing became known.  One co-worker said: “Damn, when I came on the job in 2001, he was one of the first people to show me the ropes without having to ask. My deepest condolences to his family.”

PDM Sau Lee, 52, Dies of the Coronavirus

Power Distribution Maintainer Sau Lee, an easy going, hard-working member of Third Rail Operations, died of the Coronavirus on April 18, 2020. He had 21 years on the job, mostly at nights at Canal Street.  He was only 52 years old.

MOW Mourns Electronic Equipment Maintainer Peter Voyt, 39

Electronic Equipment Maintainer Peter Voyt, who had six years of service with NYCT, passed away suddenly on April 15th, his sister Elena said. The cause of death has not been determined. Brother Voyt worked at the electronics shop on West 53rd Street and was a highly regarded member of the team.

Station Agent Robert Simon, 39, Dies of the Virus

Beloved Station Agent Robert Simon, a cherished member of his Washington Heights neighborhood, died of the Coronavirus on April 16, 2020.  He was only 39 years old and had been on the job with Transit since 2014. 

He worked at the 175th Street Station near his home in upper Manhattan.  Robert was known to greet riders with a smile and music playing from his booth. He and his wife, Charlene, had just married in November 2019, completing a 7-year relationship of blending their two families.  They had known each other since they were 14.

Important Transit Bulletins: Vital Info Regarding Overnight Subway Shutdown

The New York City Transit Authority has published two BULLETINS with important information on rules and regulations for all employees working and/or traveling within the system during the subway shutdown hours of 0100-0500.  They can be found here:

Bulletin 20-29: System Overnight Closures

Service Bulletin 67-30: Suspension of Overnight Passenger Service

Please review both bulletins so there is no misunderstanding on dealing with this unprecedented new procedure.  Stay strong and stay safe.

Alexander Gigueredo, Waterway Bus Op, Is Taken by Virus

Alexander Gigueredo, a Bus Operator for New York Waterway since 2018, died of the Coronavirus in April.  According to Division Chair Carlos Bernabel, Brother Gigueredo had worked until March 25, 2020, the day Waterway ceased all bus operations due to the virus regulations.  “This is really sad.  He was so young,” said Bernabel.

Many friends posted condolences on Facebook, including this one: “This is so, so sad. R.I.P. to the most genuine and humble guy that I had the pleasure to meet. Fly high sweet angel. My condolences to his family.” 

Steve Falco and his wife, Jilliene

RTO Mourns Train Operator Steve Falco, 36

Train Operator Steve Falco, full of life and energy, and well on his way to a successful career with the NYCT, died April 26th at the age of 36. The medical examiner has not yet determined a cause of death.

Brother Falco worked midnights, and was a fixture on the 7 Line where co-workers said he was known for making people laugh.  He loved cars and playing chess. He is survived by his wife, Jilliene, one daughter, three stepchildren, two brothers, a sister, and his parents.

RTO Mourns Train Operator Michael Thompson, 60, Falls to Coronavirus

Train Operator Michael Thompson, 60, of Lindenhurst, NY passed away from the coronavirus on April 17, 2020. He was hired by New York City Transit in 2013.

His wife Loretta recalled that this was his dream job, and how much he loved it. Michael was known for his wonderful sense of humor and for his favorite pastime, fishing. He was born and raised in Harlem, and in addition to his wife, is survived by four children and nine grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by friends and colleagues both on and off the job.

Kenneth Wright, Caretaker at Gun Hill and Former Operator, Dies from COVID-19

Kenneth Wright, who worked as a Cleaner/Caretaker at the Gun Hill Depot in the Bronx and was a former Bus Operator out of Quill, died after contracting COVID-19.

Wright, 56, joined NYC Transit in 2011, after working two decades as a Corrections Officer. He was a Bus Operator out of Quill for several years before being reclassified due to a heart condition, Sukhy Singh, the Quill Chair, said.

RTO Mourns Train Operator Reginald Holmes, 47, from Non COVID-19 Illness

Train Operator Reginald Holmes passed away at home on April 6 from heart-related ailments not related to COVID-19. He had been a Train Operator in the IRT Division for two years. His friend Train Operator Vice Chair Curtis Lemon recalls how they took a “Chicago stepping” dance class together and bonded.

“His smiles and chuckles will remain in the hearts of many of his family and friends,” Mr. Lemon said. “He will be missed.”

We Mourn Work Train Operator Santiago Tapia, 47; Passes from Heart Disease

On April 23rd RTO lost work train operator Santiago Tapia, at the age of 47. According to his wife Joanne, his death was not due to COVID-19, but rather heart disease. He had 6 years with NYCT. A private funeral took place on May 2. Brother Tapia leaves his wife, Joanne, and three children, 6, 13, and 22. He was born in Manhattan, raised in the Parkchester section of the Bronx, and resided in Brooklyn at the time of his passing.

His union Brothers and Sisters remember him as someone who lighted up a room when he came in. He was a talented visual artist who once did an internship at Marvel Comics, his wife said. She added that he loved to read, do crossword puzzles, and play along with the TV show Jeopardy! He was also athletic, enjoyed softball, fishing, and going to the beach. She said he was "a man who loved his children," and that he "wasn't an ordinary guy, he was always reaching higher. He was everything to me." His wife described their marriage as "a Superman and Wonder Woman duo."

RTO Vice President Eric Loegel said that Brother Tapia's passing "is a sad loss for the TWU family. Brother Tapia was a larger than life figure and a one of a kind personality. He will be greatly missed by his Brothers and Sisters, the work train unit, and everyone who knew him. May he rest in peace.

An obituary provided by the family can be read here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/brooklyn-ny/santiago-tapia-9152796
 

President Utano's Statement on Plans to Close the Subway From 1AM to 5AM for Intense Cleaning

FEBRUARY 15, 2021 -- Gov. Cuomo today announced plans to close the subway from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. for intense cleaning and disinfecting of the system.

If the MTA and the police handle this correctly, this will ensure that our members on the overnight shift can clean the stations and trains without having to contend with the homeless or mentally disturbed. This is exactly the type of aggressive and dramatic action we wanted to better protect our members from contracting the virus from people camped out in the system.

The cleaning and disinfecting of buses also is being ramped up. These efforts will be good for the essential workers and our members. We will be closely monitoring this program.

-- Tony Utano, President, TWU Local 100