News from TWU Local 100

Molinaro Plan to "Fix" the MTA a Non-Starter

After reviewing Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Molinaro's plan to "fix" the MTA, TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano had the following statement, which was also covered in the New York Post:

"The Molinaro plan for the MTA is a total non-starter that relies on faulty statistics, and a vicious anti-union theory that workers are overcompensated for their labor.

"The core of the Molinaro plan would slash wages and benefits for a transit workforce that is laboring 24 hours a day 7 days a week to operate and improve the system, while fending off assaults and dodging the incredible day-to-day dangers on the job. Just this week, one Trackworker nearly lost his life after an accident on the tracks, and yet another was the target of a mace assault.

"These are daily occurrences that Molinaro obviously doesn't take into consideration or he simply doesn't care. If he did a ride-along for one night with a Bus Operator or Train Crew, or stood alongside Trackworkers laboring near live third rails and live train traffic, he might change his tune. Molinaro's scheme is just cribbing nonsense from anti-worker sources. He obviously doesn't have a clue what goes on in transit."

Fourth Spot in Union’s Radio Campaign Now On Air

Photo Above: Latasha Goodall, Local 100 President Tony Utano and 1010 WINS/CBS Radio Producer/Engineer David Plotkin.

TWU Local 100 launched its fourth in a series of radio spots on New York’s “Most Listened to Radio Station” 1010 WINS. This one features Latasha Goodall, a veteran Cleaner who is now on a new career path after completing the 6-month TWU Local 100/NYCT Apprentice program at Apex Technical School in Long Island City. The spots all highlight how transit workers contribute mightily to New York City both on and off the job. Here’s Latasha…

TWU, MTA Hold Joint Press Conference on Worker Assaults

AUGUST 14 – TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano and MTA NYCT President Andy Byford held a news conference today addressing the latest round of attacks on transit workers. They discussed a pilot program on body cams and the joint effort to widely distribute a wanted poster with images of the perpetrators.

We Step Out at the Domincan Day Parade

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 -- With dignitaries including NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, and New York's distinguished Dominican American legislators, Congressman Adriano Espaillat and State Senator Marisol Alcantara, TWU Local 100 rank and file enjoyed a festive breakfast and a joyful parade up 6th Avenue. The union's top leadership, including Local 100 President Tony Utano and International President John Samuelsen led our contingent. Enjoy the photos here:

Union Releases New Wanted Poster After Brutal Attack on A Train

MONDAY, AUGUST 13 -- TWU Local 100 this afternoon will begin distributing Most Wanted posters along the A line urging riders to identify a man who repeatedly punched a subway conductor Saturday morning at the Grant Ave. station in Brooklyn.
A Local 100 representative was dispatched to meet with the Conductor immediately after the crime was reported, and the Conductor came to the Union Hall Monday morning where he met with Local 100 President Tony Utano and RTO VP Joe Costales. Utano and Costales made sure the Conductor is getting all the assistance he needs in dealing with the Transit Authority. Union staffers also are assisting the NYPD in preparing an official NYPD Wanted Poster for distribution to the media.
The attack, which took place at approximately 4:40 a.m., was videotaped by at least one bystander and posted on Facebook. The Conductor suffered a black eye, and scratches to his face and arms.
The Conductor announced the train was going express and stopped at the Grant Ave. station when suddenly the man appeared at his window. “This young gentlemen came up on me yelling and screaming, and before I could say anything he was throwing punches at me,” the Conductor said.
Producing a TWU Local 100 Most Wanted Poster to shed more light on unsolved cases involving attacks on transit workers is “definitely a good idea,” the Conductor, who requested anonymity, said. “Once you start identifying these people, and they see they won’t be anonymous anymore, maybe it will cut down on the number of them being so brazen.”
Utano directed Local 100 staff to begin distributing the poster on the A line.
“If you attack one of our members, we are going to do everything in our power to make sure you are identified, arrested and prosecuted,” Utano said. “We’re fighting back against these criminals.”

Local 100 Holds Drawing for 2018 Scholarship Grants

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The drawing for $80,000 worth of scholarship grants for the children and grandchildren of Local 100 members was held at the union hall on August 1 in the Michael J. Quill Conference Room. Officers, staff and members gathered for the drawing, sponsored by the TWU Local 100-M3 Technology Scholarship Program. The 2018 awards will include six $5,000 grants and fifty $1,000 grants. Winners names will be announced after the Trustees verify eligibility. Among those in photo are President Tony Utano, Secretary Treasurer Earl Phillips and Trustee Shannon Poland.

19 Apprentices Graduate Upward Advancement Program to Transit Electrical Helper Titles

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On Tuesday, July 31, 2018, the second class of the TWU Local 100 Upward Advancement Program graduated from the Apex Technical School’s program on electrical theory, wiring and motors.

One day later, on Aug. 1, 2018, the 19 graduates started in their new higher paying titles in MOW as Transit Electrical Helper.

But for the past six months, the group of former Cleaners, Traffic Checkers and TPPA’s, attended the intense 900-hour program at the region’s top trade school. During the training, the candidates are paid their full transit salary. After graduating, they are guaranteed a budgeted transit position, and will spend the next three years in an apprentice status before being elevated to full journeyman.

Local 100 President Tony Utano praised the graduates for their efforts and joked, “now that you completed this program, you’re going to be getting a lot of calls from your relatives, saying ‘hey my light is out, hey, I need a new switch installed.’”

Utano said that the entire union is looking to the graduates to be successful in their new roles. “Your success,” said Utano, “will enable us to grow the program, so that others can receive the same opportunity as you.” He said that the next class in the fall with have 34 candidates. “This is a good thing,” said Utano, “this is what unions do.”

Tish James with the union’s top four officers. From left are: Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp, Admin. VP Nelson Rivera, President Tony Utano, Tish James, Secretary Treasurer Earl Phillips.

Letitia ‘Tish’ James made a special guest visit to the July Local 100 Executive Board meeting and she was rewarded with a unanimous endorsement for her bid to become the next New York State Attorney General.

The vote was 37-0 to endorse Ms. James, who is currently the New York City Public Advocate. Local 100 President Tony Utano said that the endorsement was “an easy choice, as the unanimous vote of the Board indicates. Tish James has been there for transit families and all of New York’s working families her entire political career. She has an impeccable record of service to our City and she will make a great Attorney General.”

The Local 100 Executive Board voted unanimously to endorse Tish James for NYS Attorney General.

New Radio Spot Features Bus Operator Tarek Abdelghany

1010 WINS is now airing the third in a series of one-minute radio spots, produced by TWU Local 100, highlighting how transit workers move New York City and contribute on and off the job to our communities. President Tony Utano introduced the series by talking about the hazards faced by transit workers every day. The new spot features recently retired Brooklyn Bus Operator Tarek Abdelghany, who arrived from Eqypt in 1985 knowing no one in New York and with few financial resources. He happily announces in the spot that his son, Mohammed, will be attending Harvard Law School.

You can hear the spot on 1010 WINS throughout the day and right here.

TWU President Tony Utano's Statement on the MTA Fiscal Plan

NEW YORK, JULY 25 – TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano released the following statement regarding the MTA's preliminary financial plan:

"Overall, the MTA is hiring and putting more boots on the ground, and that's good news for transit workers and riders. If we're going improve service, that's absolutely critical. This preliminary financial plan increases the overall number of transit workers who will be maintaining and repairing the system by approximately 640 (over the plan released in February). But we're very concerned about some misguided reductions through attrition that are being proposed. These could negatively impact customer service, car cleanliness and track safety. I'm adamantly against these proposals, and will be urging MTA officials to abandon them."