News from TWU Local 100

TWU Int'l President John Samuelsen Talks to NY1's Errol Louis on the Coronavirus Crisis

John Samuelsen, International President of the Transport Workers Union, speaks to NY1's Errol Louis about the Coronavirus crisis, safety equipment, and Line of Duty death benefits.

Click here for the interview or on the image.

School Bus Driver, Bryson Kent Bowman, is Taken by Virus

The Local 100 School Bus Division is mourning the death to the Coronavirus of Bus Driver Bryson Kent Bowman. Brother Bowman, 59, worked for Student Transportation of America (STA) since 2017 safely transporting children to school and back home for Greenwich, CT Schools. He is the second member of the School Bus Division to succumb to the deadly virus. He passed away on April 4, 2020 at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, CT.

Proper Use of Masks

The Department of Subways has put out a two-page memo on the proper use of facemasks. Also available are these documents:

A Guide to Air Purifying Respirators

Understanding the Differences Between Respirators

How to Don and Doff a Respirator / Facemask

Trackworker Juan Diaz, 41, Dies of the Virus

Local 100’s Track Division has suffered another terrible loss to the Coronavirus. Trackworker Juan Diaz, just 42 years old with a wife and two young children, died of virus on April 3, 2020.

His heartbroken brother, Kevin, a Bus Operator at Queens Village Depot, said that Juan “made the ultimate sacrifice for this job. He loved the job, and respected the job and his co-workers.”

“He was all about his family.” said Kevin “He has a 4-year old and a baby. He didn’t even make it to the baby’s first birthday. We’re all devastated.”

Construction Flagger Steve Rybkin Lost to Virus

RTO is mourning the loss of another union Brother to the Coronavirus. Steve Joseph Rybkin, 59, worked as a Construction Flagger until going out sick on March 19, 2020. He was confirmed positve for the Coronavirus a week later. He died on April 5, 2020 at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh, NY. Brother Rybkin had 23 years on the job.

Union Mourns Train Operator Darlisa Nesbitt, Lost to Virus

Train Operator Darlisa C. Nesbitt, a 26-year veteran with NYCT, passed away of the dreaded virus on April 2, 2020. She worked most recently at Pitkin Yard in Brooklyn. She was only 51.

Express Bus Benefit Now in Effect

The free Express Bus benefit TWU Local 100 secured in the contract ratified in January is now in effect. Members need only use their work pass for free trips.

William Scott, Kingsbridge Bus Operator, Dies of the Virus

Kingsbridge Depot has suffered its first loss to the Coronavirus. Bus Operator William Scott, 51, passed away over the weekend. He had been on the job since August 2014.

Kingsbridge Depot Chair Richard Fields said that Brother Scott “was a very nice guy, very popular. Everyone liked him. He had a lot of interests.

Collecting Agent Daryl Laborde Lost to Virus

A beloved Collecting Agent, Daryl Laborde, 56, has died of complications from the Coronavirus. Brother Laborde’s sister, Sharon, informed the union that he passed on April 4, 2020. He had gone out sick on March 23, 2020. He joined transit in September 2014.

Brother Laborde leaves behind a grieving family, including 6 children and 10 grandchildren.

Conductors to Get Face Shields

APRIL 5 -- The MTA will issue Conductors face shields as a defense against COVID-19. Management informed RTO Vice President Eric Loegel on Sunday that distribution would begin this week.