News from TWU Local 100

Angel, center with Sonia Ivany. At her right is TWU International VP Curtis Tate; at Angel's left is Local 100 VP of MOW, Tony Utano. Next to Tony is Local 100 Staffer Jesse Mendoza.

Admin Vice President Angel Giboyeaux Honored at Somos Conference

TWU Local 100 Administrative Vice President Angel Giboyeaux received an award for "outstanding commitment and contribution to the labor movement and the community," at the annual Somos El Futuro conference in Puerto Rico on November 9th. Presenting the award to Angel was New York City labor activist Sonia Ivany, who has fought many battles alongside TWU Local 100. Congratulations, Angel!

In Photos: Local 100 Women's Committee "Making Strides" Across Five Boroughs

This Fall, the TWU Local 100 Womens Committee organized walks to prevent breast cancer in each of the five boroughs. There’s still time to donate to the cause – visit the website and follow the directions to donate to the borough site of your choice!

Lockbox Bill on Governor's Desk; 200 Groups Ask Signature

The MTA transit funds lockbox bill, S. 3837 (Golden) A. 5084 (Brennan) has been sent to Governor Cuomo's desk, triggering a ten-day period during which the Governor must consider it. If he doesn't veto, it automatically becomes law. The bill would mandate that an "impact statement" be released upon any diversion of transit funds for other purposes. This requirement would do a lot to stop the secret transfer of supposedly dedicated transit funds that has been a continuing feature of state government, and thus bolster the MTA's budget. Local 100 President John Samuelsen, is one of the signatories of a letter sent to the Governor yesterday by 200 groups, urging him to sign the bill. The letter says in part: ""Raiding dedicated transit funds is poor policy, and a breach of trust with the public who rightly believe that transit funds should go to improving transit." Read the letter here. Read the press release here.

In Photos: October 29 - Stood Up to Sandy, Standing Up for a Fair Contract

The one-year anniversary of Sandy rally exceeded all expectations, and showed a union ready and willing to fight for a contract after 20 months of MTA intransigence. Some 5,500 transit workers (NYPD estimate) took over the streets near 2 Broadway. Their ranks were swelled by a march of about a thousand Bus Operators and Mechanics from TA Surface, who stepped off near City Hall. Police let marchers proceed, halting traffic on Broadway. One officer near the rally stage said, “I hope you get your raise. You deserve it.” The photos show an energized and capable membership who believe the MTA has run out of excuses.

Massive Rally Speaks Truth to Power as Transit Workers Call for Raises

Four to six thousand transit workers, angry about the MTA’s intransigence in Contract negotiations, staged a massive rally outside of 2 Broadway that spilled into the adjacent streets and shut down Broadway for periods from City Hall on down to the financial district.

TWU Local 100 members, joined by union brothers and sisters from a half dozen other TWU Locals as well as local labor leaders and politicians, heard TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen call on the MTA to drop its “ridiculous” demands for three years of zero wage increases.

Referring to the chorus of praises showered on transit workers at the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, he said: “While most of the City was still in a state of confusion, we had the situation under control. The editorial writers called your effort ‘miraculous.’ It was miraculous. You are miraculous.”

But much of Samuelsen’s speech contained harsh words for MTA Chairman Tom Prendergast and Governor Cuomo, especially in light of new reports showing the MTA with an unexpected cash windfall of the $1.9 billion over the next four years. “Mr. Prendergast, Governor Cuomo, you are out of excuses,” blared Samuelsen to the cheering crowd of Local 100 members. “Our patience is wearing thin. It is time to get this contract behind us.”

More video and photos from the rally will be uploaded shortly.

Major Owens, Congressional Champion of Labor and Justice, Gone at 77

TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen has sent a letter of condolence to the family of former Brooklyn Congressman Major Owens. The letter states:

"On behalf of 39,000 transport workers, I would like to express our grief at the loss of a great political leader and champion of working people.

"Through his long Congressional career, Major Owens maintained a 100% pro-labor voting record. He was certainly 100% with us: pro-labor, pro-mass transit, pro-community, a strong voice for education and an implacable foe of racism.

"His keen understanding of the fight against exclusion – including that of working people, African-Americans, and women -- informed his role as a key architect of the Americans with Disabilities Act. For this he will long be remembered, not only by us New Yorkers, but by millions nationwide.

"Thank you for sharing him with us."

Last chance: Kids' Basketball Clinic With WNBA Liberty Players

Local 100 and our new Local 100 Rewards program are sponsoring a special basketball clinic for members’ children (they can bring a friend) on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at Riverside Church (490 Riverside Drive, 120^th Street).

Pro players from the WNBA’s New York Liberty will be on hand for the clinic for children ages 8-16.

Sign up as soon as possible, because the facility can only handle the first 100 who register. Get your coupon now at Local 100 rewards (just 20 left)

Local 100 Celebrates Its 2013 Russian American Heritage Day

A capacity crowd of Russian-American TWU Local 100 members filled Tatiana’s on Brighton Beach on Sunday for dazzling entertainment, fine food and drink, and the chance to hear from TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen, other officers, politicians and guests. Check out our Flickr slide show to get in on the fun. Remember – make your reservations early next year, because this event always draws more than the hall can hold.

Raffle Prize Winners:

First Prize (42" LCD TV): V. Mezhia (CIOH) - Ticket #1608
Second Prize (Dinner for 2 at Tatiana Restaurant): M. O’Leary (CIOH Pneumatic) - Ticket #1099
Third Prize (Lunch for 2 at Tatiana Restaurant): Chris Trani (East New York) - Ticket #1518

Coming Soon: A More Readable Paystub

A slightly new look is coming for paycheck stubs and advisories issued by MTA agencies, including NYCTA, MaBSTOA and MTA Bus.

Key to the change is a bigger font for the details both of hours & earnings and the deductions. (See the accompanying mock-up for a rough idea of the new look.) As a result, 70,000 paychecks will be a little more readable.

This is the most recent in a series of improvements to the paycheck. Earlier this year a field was added to the stubs and advisories showing pensionable income for the year to date.

The changes have come about as a result of ongoing discussion between the MTA Business Services Center and a team led by TWU Local 100 VP Kevin Harrington.

Good-Standing Restoration Via ‘Double Dues’ Plan Begins With First Payroll Check in November

The MTA will begin implementing the “double dues” payment plan for the nearly 700 members who signed up to restore their good-standing membership with the first payroll check in November.

The Union negotiated the payback plan with the MTA over the summer to provide members, who fell behind in their dues after the 2005 strike, a relatively painless method to regain full membership in the union.

It has taken a bit longer than expected for MTA payroll to execute the plan.

Local 100 Secretary Treasurer Earl Phillips thanked those who signed up for the double-dues restoration plan for their patience during the process. “I know those who signed up are anxious to get themselves back into good standing. And we are eager to get as many members as possible back into the ranks of full membership. We are a stronger union when the entire membership shares ownership of our great organization.”

If you are still not restored to good standing and wish to sign up for the restoration program, click on the green “PAY YOUR BACK DUES” button on the lower right side of the home page.