News from TWU Local 100

SMB Benny Diaz Losses Battle with Coronavirus

Structure Division is mourning the passing of another Brother to the Coronavirus. Venancio “Benny” Diaz, a veteran SMB with 21 years on the job, passed away on April 30, 2020 at Staten Island University Hospital. He was just shy of his 59th birthday. He is the third Local 100 member from Structure Division to die of the virus.

Brother Diaz was born on May 18, 1961 in a small town called San Juan Nepopualco in the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico. He emigrated to New York in the mid 1980’s. He worked multiple jobs including cook, painter, and construction worker. He finally found his permanent career when he joined the MTA in 1999. According to his daughter, Teresa, he enjoyed listening to the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, BeeGees, the Doors, and Vicente Fernandez in his spare time. He also enjoyed creating wooden crafts for his grandchildren and never hesitated in helping out anyone in need.

He is survived by his parents, Roberto Diaz Rocha and Teresa Herrera Barba, his wife of 38 years, Marina Diaz, along with their three daughters and one son, Heidi Sanchez, Nancy Rivera, Teresa Palafox and Angel Diaz; a daughter from an earlier union, Karla Jimenez, and 11 grandchildren.

Conductor Creates Tribute to Our Members During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Conductor Lizette Rodriguez created this beautiful video showcasing the heroism and determination of our members to keep New York Moving during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Music by Alicia Keys. Thank you, Sister.

Spitting Suspect from May 9th

Perps Sought in 2 Bronx Spitting Incidents

MAY 14 -- The Daily News reports this morning on two separate incidents in the Bronx were TWU Local 100 represented Bus Operators were spat at. In the first case, at 5:30 PM last Saturday, May 9th, our Operator had just stopped her BX41 bus and was discharging passengers when a man approached the driver's side window and spat at her before running off. Police described the suspect as black, between 20 and 30, and wearing a yellow hoodie. You can see the video here.

Four days earlier and four miles away, another hooded man spit at a bus and tried to attack a 64-year-old bus operator with a stick on Soundview Ave. near Cornell Ave. in Classon Point. Local 100 President Tony Utano said of the attacks: “What kind of person does this? Spitting on a transit worker who is serving the public is a disgusting and cowardly act in the best of times. Doing it during a pandemic is beyond horrendous. When these individuals are caught, prosecutors and judges should throw the book at them.”

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is urged to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.

Motorman Phil Davis, with Wife Stacey, a NYCT Conductor

RTO Mourns Motorman Philip Davis, 55, Passes from the Coronavirus

Motorman Phillip Davis, 55, of Bronxville, New York, passed away from the coronavirus after over 31 years of dedicated service on April 23, 2020. Phil loved operating the trains.

In addition to his stellar career with New York City Transit, he was a wonderful husband and loving father, and a man of many talents and passions. His wife, conductor Stacey Davis, recalled his delicious meals, his sense of humor, his sharp dressing and his love of sports.

Phil’s favorite teams were the Jets, the Knicks and the Yankees. He was a DJ back in the day, and continued to enjoy music and dancing. Phillip touched the lives of his many friends and co-workers who miss him dearly.

Thomas Chai, Light Maintainer, Succumbs to Coronavirus

Light Maintainer Thomas Teck Kuwe Chai, on nights since joining New York City Transit in 2015, passed away of the Coronavirus on April 12, 2020.

Brother Chai was originally from Ipoh, the capital city of the State of Perak in Malaysia. He attended SMK Malim Nawar high school there and emigrated to the U.S. in 1977. He was 60 years old.

Structure Maintainer Uraul Watts, 46, is Lost to Virus

Structure Maintainer Uraul Watts, who worked the overnights, died of the Coronavirus on April 16, 2020. Brother Watts had two years on the job.
He was only 46 years old and had emigrated to the United States from Antigua. He leaves behind his wife Michelle, two young children, his son Chidike who lives in Canada and his daughter Nkechi who resides here in the States, his Mother Daphne and sister Yurihanna Vyphuis in Antigua.

HVAC Maintainer Jean Modestile Dies of the Virus

Jean Levelt Modestile, a Heating and Air Conditioning maintainer at the 148th St. HVAC shop died of the Coronavirus at 2:00pm on April 23, 2020. He was only 50 years old. Brother Modestile was originally from Haiti. He had six years on the job, and previously worked for Air Pro HVAC Corp. in Hicksville.

Union Launches Media Campaign for Hazard Pay

TWU Local 100 today launched a multi-pronged media campaign to build public and political pressure to secure Covid hazard pay for transit workers.

The union’s push began with one-minute radio spots on 1010 WINS and CBS 880 radio. The union is planning ads in popular weekly newspapers distributed across the City, as well as digital ads in outlets targeting legislators in the City and Albany.

Power Cable Maintainer Horatio Jordan Lost to Virus

Members of the Power Cable Section of Maintenance of Way are mourning the death to the Coronavirus of Horatio L. Jordan. He was 60 years old and had 15 years on the job in the Power Department.

Ronnie Jimeno, Flatbush Bus Operator, Succumbs to Coronavirus

Flatbush Depot members are mourning the death to the Coronavirus of veteran Bus Operator Ronnie Jimeno. He had 21 years on the job.He was originally from the Philippines, and lived in Mill Basin just a few blocks from the depot. He is the third Local 100 member to die of the virus from Flatbush.