GCS Call Center Agent Esther Mota, represented by TWU Local 100, details working conditions to the MTA Board last month.

NY Times Covers GCS Contract Fight; Ties Worker Grievances to Fight for $15

NOVEMBER 28 -- The New York Times today ran a comprehensive piece on TWU Local 100's fight to secure decent wages and working conditions for members who toil at the Access-A-Ride call center on Northern Boulevard in Queens, tying their fight to the national push for a $15 living wage for workers. The piece chronicled the pushback by the Union since call center workers voted to have Local 100 as their bargaining agent against the intransigence of management, which has fired many who supported the Union. Management's hard line seems to have softened a bit after we called for a strike vote last month. The CEO of Global Contact Services, Greg Alcorn, who runs the operation, met twice with TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen last week in an effort to come to a settlement without a strike. The MTA Board has also been aggressively questioning GCS's handling of their contract. GCS has also allowed TWU Local 100 reps onto the property for the first time. Read the Times article here.

MTA Bus Members Ratify New Contract

NOVEMBER 24 -- Local 100 members employed by MTA Bus have ratified their new contract by an overwhelming 95 percent margin. The American Arbitration Association announced the results of the referendum at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon.

The contract covers nearly 2,200 members at MTA Bus as Bus Operators, Maintainers, Maintainer Helpers, Cleaner Helpers, Stock Workers and Assistant Stock Workers.

The wage and benefit package mirrors the gains secured in the TA/OA contract, with raises in every year, full retroactivity, and an impressive array of improved and new benefits.

The contract also brings a major breakthrough on the MTA Bus pension, which has been a massive problem for years, and is far less valuable in comparison to the public pensions covering TA and OA members.

Local 100 President John Samuelsen, who led the Negotiating team for the union, was finally able to punch through management's resistance on the pension issue.

Political Leaders: TWU Veterans Influential in Budget Victory

Some of New York State's most prominent politicians gave credit to the Union's political action achievements in supporting veteran's legislation that has led to a tentative budget deal in Albany. For the past two year, Local 100's Veterans Committee, spearheaded by RTO VP Kevin Harrington, has pushed for legislation that would have allowed US servicemen and women -- without regard to where they served --- buy back up to three years's pension credit. Governor Cuomo vetoed the bill twice - but has now signaled his intent to include the same provisions in next year's NYS Budget. At our Veteran's Appreciation NIght, Assemblyman Peter Abbate, State Sen. Martin Golden, and Brian Maher, chief aide to Assemb. William Larkin, Jr., the prime sponsor of the Veteran's bill, lavished praise on Local 100 as staunch fighters and advocates for all veterans. The video shows the cameraderie in the room and the strong alliance we have built with the legislators.

Health Fair Draws 300

With the MTA-NYCT / TWU Local 100 Health and Wellness initiative continuing, the Union and the MTA held another Health Fair at the 207th Street shop in Upper Manhattan. Over 300 members showed up, taking advantage of the free and confidential screenings as well as the massages. 20 influenza shots were administered. Health information and counseling was also available. A nutritional/healthy cooking series will be piloted on November 19th at the TWU Union Hall at 195 Montague Street in Brooklyn. This will be followed by a series of classes conducted by our medical carriers and others starting in 2016. The 2016 schedule will be published soon. Your health is critical to your job -- take advantage of these opportunities to safeguard it.

MTA Board is all ears as TWU Rep Dylan Valle discusses the situation at GCS.

TWU to GCS: Time's Running Out

It’s the 9^th inning with two outs for the hired-gun operator of the MTA’s Access-A-Ride Call Center.

Global Contact Services has been running the call center like the owner of a garment factory in the early 1900s. In less than two years, it has fired about 1,200 workers for minor - or simply bogus - transgressions. Some have been canned for supporting the union. Others have been disciplined for reporting late to work – even though they take Access-A-Ride because they have a disability and are unable to ride the subway, which has to be one of the most surreal, ironic and cruel situations you could dream up.

That’s like a cop offering grandma a ride home, and then giving her a ticket for hitchhiking. And by the way, grandma is a crossing guard – and in a wheelchair.

There is hope, however, that this Twilight Zone saga will have a good ending. After aggressive advocacy by TWU Local 100, the MTA chairman two months ago directed NYC Transit’s top executive, the MTA inspector general and the MTA auditor general to conduct thorough analysis of the North Carolina-based company. Speaking Wednesday at the board’s November meeting, Prendergast said the review would soon be completed.

“Time is of the essence,” Prendergast said. “We have heard from the workers about the conditions under which they are working and their urgent need to have these issues resolved.” This is lightning-quick for the MTA. The bureaucracy usually moves at a pace somewhere between a dead turtle and a glacier. The second reason for hope can be found in a statement about GCS that Local 100 President John Samuelsen released to the media Wednesday.

“TWU Local 100’s Executive Board unanimously voted on Nov. 10 to authorize a strike in response to the company’s abject refusal to respect the basic rights of call center workers for more than two years,” Samuelsen said. “I met GCS’s chief executive, Greg Alcorn, last week and we started a dialogue. Based on that meeting, I believe there’s a chance to improve the deplorable working conditions and reach a contract settlement. But if the dialogue breaks off again, we will resume organizing and planning for a strike.” The Call Center workforce is overwhelmingly minority women. After slashing wages after being hired by the MTA a few years ago, GCS now pays them between $9 and $11 an hour. That’s simply not acceptable in NYC in 2015.  GCS faces the possibility of having its contact terminated by the MTA and faces a possible strike.

Ninth inning. Two outs. No room for error.

Daily News: Station Agent's Bold Move Saves Rider's Life

NOVEMBER 18 -- In today's Daily News, reporter Dan Rivoli reports on the heroic actions of 18-year veteran Station Agent Ralph Johnson, who jumped down to the tracks and flagged down a train approaching the Franklin Avenue station where a woman had fallen to the tracks. Both are here today to tell the tale. S/A Johnson will be nominated to be a Hometown Hero in the Daily News's ongoing awards program that honors transit workers. Read the article here and if you see Brother Johnson in the field, congratulate him on his save. If you would like to nominate yourself as a Hometown Hero or know someone who should be nominated, the article tells you how to do it.

On Veteran’s Appreciation Night, TWU Thanks Kevin Harrington for His Support of Veterans

TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen, in front of a crowd of TWU war veterans and their friends and spouses, presented retiring RTO Vice President Kevin Harrington with an award for his dedication to the cause of supporting our veterans. Kevin has worked tirelessly as head of our Veteran’s Committee to push for a pension buy-back bill that would grant civil servants who served in the armed forces the right to buy back up to three years of credited pension service. Just the day before our Veterans Appreciation Night on November 12, Gov. Cuomo announced that he would include a measure funding the credited service buy-back in next year’s New York State budget. Also at the event, prominent New York State legislators who have been dedicated supporters of this fight spoke to our membership. We’ll have photos from the event, up on our website on Monday. Enjoy the video and Kevin’s remarks.

Politico: "Access-a-Ride Dispatchers Threaten to Strike"

NOVEMBER 12 -- In a story that went up on the web early this morning, Politico reported extensively on the two-year fight waged by TWU Local 100 and the workers we represent at the Access-a-Ride call center on Northern Boulevard for fair wages and fair treatment. The story quotes President John Samuelsen as saying, "We haven't set a date [for the strike], but it's coming." Ever since Global Contact Services of Salisbury, NC won the low bid for the Access-a-Ride call center work in 2013 and immediately cut wages by 20% across the board, Call Agents represented by the Union have had grievances that the company has ignored. Adding to the pain of the wage cuts, GCS handed down a draconian disciplinary program, even penalizing handicapped workers for lateness when they were due to get picked up by an Access-a-Ride van that was delayed. Since the union won a representation election at GCS last year, the company has steadfastly refused to bargain, bringing in high-priced lawyers to repeatedly stonewall workers' demands for a contract. Top in the union's demands is a wage of $15 an hour, now on the table statewide as part of Governor Cuomo's decision to better compensate the NYS workforce. While GCS does not technically fall under that umbrella, we are hopeful that our workers -- who are now paid from $9 to $11 an hour -- will see light at the end of the tunnel. Just last month, the MTA Board of Directors, stung by Local 100 members' testimony about appalling conditions at the call center and disregard of workers' rights, called for an MTA investigation into company practices which include a thousand firings since they took over the call center. Read the Politico article here.

Division Chair Willie Rivera briefs operators about the ongoing case.

Court Support for Bus Operator Paul Roper

NOVEMBER 9 -- 15 TWU Local 100 members in uniform joined arrested Bus Operator Paul Roper's family in Brooklyn Supreme Criminal Court today where his case was called and a brief conference was held between his lawyer and an ADA. Also in attendance were TA Surface Vice President JP Patafio, Division Chair Willie Rivera, and Division officers Armando Serrano and Louis Marrero. Mr. Roper was involved in a fatal accident on November 3rd, resulting in the death of a pedestrian. He was arrested and taken to Riker's Island. His family posted bail today. The ADA made no offer in the case, and the judge called for a grand jury to hear the evidence against Mr. Roper. Outside the courtroom, TWU Local 100 TA Surface Division Chair Willie Rivera thanked the Bus Operators and friends who turned out to support our union brother, who is facing charges of leaving the scene of a fatal accident as well as failure to yield in a right of way. TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen has expressed the union's regret and sent a message of condolence to the family and friends of the deceased.

Freedom Tower Observatory Free Tickets for 911 Rescue and Recovery Workers

Because of our success in bringing recognition to our 9/11 responders, the 9/11 Tribute Center is making available free tickets to the One World Trade Center observatory atop the Freedom Tower. The tickets are available at the 9/11 Tribute Center, located at 120 Liberty Street in lower Manhattan just a block from Ground Zero. Transit workers who responded to 9/11 can register for two complimentary tickets with one week's advance notice of when you want to attend. These complimentary tickets can only be picked up at the 9/11 Tribute Center. You can apply for the tickets by using this link.

GCS Workers Expose Intolerable Conditions; Board Member Ready to Terminate Company's Contract

OCTOBER 28 – We’ve gotten their attention. After a year-long campaign to expose the abominable working conditions of our members at Global Contact Services, and that company’s failed promises, the Board of Directors of the MTA is taking a hard look at the company. One Board Member says he’s considering voting to terminate their contract. In this video, TWU Local 100 members at GCS speak truth to power. It’s an illuminating look at just what it’s like to work for $9 to $11 an hour in New York City and face an abusive employer into the bargain.

Union to Host Climate Forum: Getting to 100% Clean Energy

Mayor De Blasio has committed to lowering NYC’s carbon emissions 40% by 2030.  Many people working to reverse global warming believe this is too little and that a much higher target is necessary and achievable.  TWU Local 100 will host a People’s Climate March forum on Thurs., Nov. 19, on the topic of how to meet 100% of NYC’s energy needs from sustainable sources by 2030.  Join climate justice campaigners and union brothers and sisters for this important discussion. Download the flyer here.

The News Honors Transit Workers Every Year

Brilliant!

BY PETE DONOHUE

I was at my desk at the Daily News when I was summoned to the glass-enclosed office overlooking the open “bullpen” newsroom one day in 2012. The new boss, who was installed a few months earlier, wanted to see me. “Brilliant!,” I said sarcastically to no one in particular.

Colin Myler, a veteran editor who was imported from London by the News’ owner, was aloof.  He didn’t even bother to hold a group meeting to introduce himself to the rank-and-file staff. I didn’t know if I was going to be served tea and biscuits, or a pink slip. I had been at the News nearly two decades at this point. I had seen more than a few top editors get pushed out the door and replaced. The routine was familiar.   After a brief settling-in period, the firings would begin as the new boss unveiled plans to reinvent the wheel.

My other concern, which was more realistic, was being assigned a new project that would be a moronic exercise - and a colossal pain in the ass.  New bosses are good at that, too. I was happily surprised.

Daily News's Hometown Heroes in Transit Awards -- Nominations Are Now Open!

It's time to gear up for the Daily News's annual celebration of the unsung heroes of NYC Transit -- TWU Local 100 members who go the extra mile to stop crime, recover property, or just brighten a fellow New Yorker's day by doing something wonderful. Don't be bashful -- nominate yourself or a co-worker! Here's the Daily News's article, by transit reporter Dan Rivoli:

The round-the –click transit system is just one reason New York is the city that never sleeps. As ridership soars to record numbers, the challenge of keeping the system running safely has become more daunting for tens of thousands of Metropolitan Transportation Authority employees. But day after day, they rise to the challenge — often putting themselves in harm’s way and responding to emergencies like champions.

In recognition of their service to the riding public, the Daily News is partnering with the MTA and the Transport Workers Union Local 100 to launch the fourth annual Hometown Heroes in Transit awards.
“The men and women of MTA New York City Transit work around the clock to keep this city moving, but too often their contributions are unknown to the millions of people they serve every day,” MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast said. “New York City couldn’t function without them. The Daily News Hometown Heroes in Transit awards ensure New Yorkers recognize their vital work and honor our employees who go above and beyond the call of duty.”

The jobs can be arduous, grimy and hazardous, with less room for error in the 111-year-old system facing overcrowding problems. The examples of transit workers’ efforts to maintain safe and reliable transportation can get lost amid the frantic flow of riders darting in and out of subway, commuter rail and bus stations. “The transit system is such a vital part of our everyday lives in this city that sometimes we take it for granted,” said Daily News Executive Editor Jim Rich. “The people who, with little fanfare, make sure we get where we are going, deserve to be recognized. They are the silent heroes of our city.” The Hometown Heroes in Transit honored its first group of MTA workers in 2013, with the city and subway system recovering from Hurricane Sandy months earlier.  The News has since started to honor the city’s educators with Hometown Heroes in Education awards.

“I was thrilled four years ago when TWU Local 100 teamed up with The Daily News for the first Hometown Heroes in Transit awards, and I’m even more thrilled to see this great program continue,” said TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen. “The men and women of Local 100 - who move more than 8 million riders every single day - are dedicated professionals who deserve to be recognized for their hard work and sacrifice." Nominations for transit workers will be open through Dec. 18. The winners will be honored at a reception in February. News readers can nominate the transit worker in their lives by email, mail or fax. For email submissions, send to hometownheroestransit@nydailynews.com.

Video: Update on developments in the Peña murder case

OCTOBER 19 -- The latest delay in the trial of Domonic Whilby, who caused the death of Bus Operator William Pena, took place today in Manhattan Criminal Court. Pena’s widow, Nancy Rodriguez, attorney Sanford Rubenstein, and supporters from TWU Local 100 were on hand to hear Judge Gregory Carro announce that the trial would begin early next year. In the interim, the defense has asked for evidence to be submitted to a toxicologist for analysis, and that should happen next month. Outside court, Nancy was sorrowful at the long delay and adamant that she will oppose any plea deal for her husband’s killer.