News from TWU Local 100

Families of Transit Worker Heroes Killed by COVID-19 to Receive $500,000 Death Benefit Payments

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Transport Workers Union Local 100, and the Transport Workers Union of America, have reached an agreement establishing a COVID-19 death benefit for TWU members who died after being infected. Under the agreement, and the side letter, the MTA will pay $500,000 in a lump sum to the spouse, beneficiary or estate of each deceased member who was in active service on or after February 1, 2020. The TWU agreement extends the COVID-19 death benefit to members of four TWU Locals: Local 100, Local 106, Local 2001 and Local 2055.

Foster Moore, CTA, Passes Away

CTA Foster Moore, the father of five children from 11 to 28 years old, has died of the Coronavirus. Brother Moore had 26 years on the job and most recently worked the 10:00pm to 6:00am shift at the Cortlandt Street station, which had been destroyed when the towers fell on 911.

Executive Board Member Darryl K. Sweeney Succumbs to Virus

RTO Tower Operator and Executive Board member Darryl K. Sweeney passed away this morning, 4/11/2020, at Jamaica Hospital due to COVID-19. He was 58 years old. Darryl first got sick on March 20th.

He was born on 10/19/1961 and was a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, NY. He joined the Transit Authority in 2006 as a Station Agent, before being promoted to Tower Operator. He worked the midnight shift at East New York Master Tower. Darryl was elected to the Local 100 Executive Board in December 2018, on his first try as one of eight E Board members for RTO. In his spare time, Darryl enjoyed martial arts, playing chess, traveling, and volunteering to help families in need. Darryl served in the U. S. Navy in the 1980s, and was honorably discharged.

Emmanuel Jacob, ENY Bus Operator, Passes

The men and women of East New York Depot are mourning the death to the Coronavirus of Bus Operator Emmanuel Jacob. He was 60 years old and had 20 years on the job.

Depot Vice Chair Javier Oquendo said that Brother Jacob “was a great person to work with. He was always upbeat, always in a good mood. He was great in the swing room, loved to play pool and was good at it. It earned him the nickname ‘Jake the Snake.’ He was always joking with the other drivers. Everyone knew him and liked him. This hits hard.”

Bus Operator Miguel Chumpitaz Loses Battle With the Virus

The members and officers of Gleason Depot in Brooklyn are in mourning over the loss of Bus Operator Miguel Chumpitaz, one of the most beloved workers at the facility. He was 60 years of age and had nearly 22 years on the job.

Scores of brokenhearted co-workers at Gleason posted emotional tributes to Miguel, like this one: “Just received the news of my long time Road Warrior from Gleason Depot, Miguel Chumpitaz, who has been Dispatched for Eternal Rest. For over two plus decades, we worked side by side through numerous situations moveing the people of New York and did so with kindness, joyful and loving spirit and with great determination. He enjoyed LIFE to the fullest and was admired, respected and loved . . . I will treasure all of the FUN TIMES we shared ON and OFF the Road. Rest in Peace, Road Warrior, you were truly one of a kind and will be truly MISSED."

Coronavirus Takes Telephone Maintainer Aristedes Moraitis

Union members at the Telephone Shop on Northern Boulevard are mourning the passing of their union Brother, Aristedes Moraitis, say their reps, Executive Board Members Sherlock Bender and Mario Galvet.

Moraitis, 49, was “always at work,” according to his brother, Evan, who said that Aristedes wasn’t feeling well at the end of March and went to Urgent Care, then to the emergency room on Tuesday, April 2. He got a confirmed positive for COVID-19.

Structure Vice Chair Hesronni Cayenne Dies of the Virus

Local 100’s Structure Division has lost its elected Vice Chair to the Coronavirus. Brother Hesronni St. Anthony Cayenne, just 48 years old, died in the hospital on April 9, 2020 after taking sick to the virus recently. He was born in Carriacou, a small island that is part of the Grenadine Islands located in the southeastern Caribbean Sea. He attended Hillsborough Secondary School and Bishop's College in Carriacou before emigrating to the United States.

Enterprise Making Special Discount Available to Our Members

TWU members,

As a reminder during these times, Enterprise Rent-a-Car is extending a discount to us for personal-travel needs, this includes the needs of our family members. This can be another good option for social-distancing if you must travel. You must use ID# L24XTWU in order to access the discount with two easy ways to do so:

Online - https://www.enterprise.com/en/deeplink.html?v=2&contractNumber=L24XTWU. The code is already built into this link.
Phone – Call 800-RENT-A-CAR & reference the code L24XTWU

We're All In This Together. Enterprise remains committed to helping frontline responders, and you, move forward. As an essential service provider, Enterprise is staying open to serve customers who rely on us to provide critical mobility options or who are on the front lines of relief efforts. At neighborhood locations in the U.S. and Canada, we are offering modified service options for safety.

MaBSTOA VP Richard Davis Interviewed on NY1 About Bus Operator Exposure to COVID-19

NY1 reported today on the tremendous loss of life among NYC Transit workers with a focus on Bus Operators. VP Richard Davis was interviewed along with John Costa, International President of the ATU. Click here or on the image to see the story.