News from TWU Local 100

TWU Supports LGBTQ

A spirited group of Lesbian, Gay and Trans members, families and friends marched along with Union rank and file and officers, including Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp-Sauray, in the biggest ever Pride Day march from 40th Street down to Christopher Street in the West Village. The TWU Local 100 van led the procession, along with a large float with a DJ and a hybrid electric New York City transit bus, placed into service for our special event. The event was especially significant this year because of the US Supreme Court's ruling making marriage between same-sex couples legal in every state in the union. Congratulations to all! The TWU continues our proud tradition of upholding the rights of all of our members.

Vets Fight Paying Off

Albany Wrap-Up: TWU Bills Advance; Fights Continue

Two busloads of Local 100 members joined our dedicated Political Action team in Albany in the final days of the legislative session to push three bills that have high priority: vision zero, the veteran’s pension bill, and a bill for school bus disciplinary fairness. Two advanced to win passage in one house; the third awaits Governor Cuomo’s signature.

Vision Zero easily grabbed the most media attention: a high-profile dust-up that pitted the Union, arguing for de-criminalizing Bus Operators in accident situations -- against Mayor de Blasio and holdouts on the New York City Council. Bicycle advocacy group Transportation Alternatives started the mud-slinging, saying Local 100 was looking for a “license to kill” on the roads – a complete distortion of our position, which was simply that fairness demands an accident investigation before charges are brought or arrests are made – particularly in cases where there is no obvious negligence or recklessness on the part of the Bus Operator.

It was wonderful to hear – as did 40 Bus Operators in the State Senate gallery on Tuesday – legislator after legislator coming to the defense of TWU members in bus accidents, declaring that an accident is not evidence of guilt, and affirming the safety record of the MTA. The State Senate voted 54 to 6 to support our amendment to the Vision Zero law, forbidding the arrest of a Bus Operator on the scene of an accident where there is no reckless behavior. But the Assembly adjourned without bringing the bill to the floor for debate. At this writing, the union continues to fight for fairness with direct action at the City Council and at City Hall. IB Image

Nancy is interviewed by the New York Times as her attorney and her daughter look on.

Discovery Problems Cause Another Delay in Pena Murder Case

Nancy Rodriguez, widow of slain Bus Operator William Pena, reacted with anger and frustration to another delay in Judge Gregory Carro's 13th floor courtroom in Manhattan Criminal Court today. Prosecutors conceded in court that they had provided a defective video file to the defense team representing accused murder Domonic Whilby and that they had also not turned over requested blood sample tests. Nancy, appearing with her daughter Gabrielle and represented by Attorney Sanford Rubenstein, noted that this was the third court hearing in a row without the presence of lead prosecutor Randolph Clarke, Jr. There have been 16 court hearings in the case since Whilby's stolen truck crashed into Pena's bus, killing him on February 12, 2014, without real progress in bringing the perpetrator to justice. Rank and file TWU Local 100 members joined the Pena family in court.

MTA Board Members Say Bus Operators Treated Unfairly Under Vision Zero

Bus operators are being treated unfairly under a controversial Vision Zero law - and the MTA shouldn’t sit quietly on the sidelines, two Metropolitan Transportation Authority board members said Monday morning. “I think the inequitable treatment of the bus drivers is something that does need to be addressed,” board member Jonathan Ballan said at the monthly NYC Transit committee meeting in Manhattan.

Board member Allen Cappelli said: “I do think bus drivers have been treated inequitably in this situation and, as their employer, we do need to in fact weigh in on these issues as we put these men and women out on the streets everyday.”

Six MTA bus operators and dozens of other motorists have been arrested under the “Right of Way” law that Mayor de Blasio signed last year. It directs police to arrest drivers if a pedestrian is hit in a crosswalk - even without evidence of recklessness like speeding. Transport Workers Union Local 100 has argued that drivers are set up for failure because buses have “blind spots” created by the placement of drivers’ side mirrors obstructing views of the street from behind the steering wheel. The city Department of Transportation’s signal system directs pedestrians into crosswalks at the same time buses are making left turns.

Local 100 has demanded that the MTA fix the “blind spots” with different bus designs and the city install left-turn only signals at dangerous intersections. “I think the alternate solutions that have been set forth by the union are something that we need to discuss at the board level,” Ballan said. Councilman Daneek Miller, a former bus driver, has introduced legislation that would prevent the arrest of non-reckless drivers after pedestrian accidents. Cappelli called the proposal “meritorious.” A similar bill is pending in the state Legislature.

“I’d like to know where the MTA stands as an institution on this issue and look forward to a discussion on it,” Cappelli said. Committee Chairman Fernando Ferrer, the former Bronx borough president, indicated the issue might in fact be discussed at a full meeting of the board when MTA Chairman Tom Prendergast is present. The next meeting is Wednesday.

Working in the Heat

Working in hot environments is not safe. Your body builds up heat when you work and sweats to get rid of it. Too much heat can make you tired, hurt your job performance, and increase your chance of injury. When the temperature changes quickly, you need time for your body to get adjusted to the heat. Be extra careful early in the summer when hot spells begin.

You have a right to a safe & comfortable work environment:

Clean water provided through a fountain, cooler or bottled water at all locations
Cool Work areas and break rooms
Ventilation to bring in clean air and take out hot air
Make adequate water supplies part of your daily workplace inspection

Need relief? Follow up with supervision immediately:

Bus- Call console, request immediate medical assistance
RTO- command 212-712-4480
CED- call your Barn Chair or Local Union rep
MOW- control 212-712-4120

If needed, file a Safety Rule Dispute Resolution Form.

For Stations: To follow up with supervision, call your respective Field Office. If you are a CTA, you can also ask for a comfort by entering the booth to cool down. If you feel unwell, you must notify OSAC and inform them that you are going home. Doctor’s lines will be needed on your return. Field Office numbers are as follows: 125th Street: 212-712-3127 or 718-436-8421; 44th Street: 212-424-5407 or -5408; 7th Ave: 718-243-3903 or 243-3905; Parsons-Archer: 718-334-8106. OSAC is 347-694-6500. Sick Desk for CTA’s ext. 42.

Click here to download a printed version of this message. Print it out and post it in your workplace.

For Stations Department members, click here.

Union Scholarships Application Period Extended

The union announced that our application period for scholarships for college students has been extended until June 30. These scholarships are for members, children of members, grandchildren of members, or retirees or their children or grand-children who are attending or accepted by an accredited two or four year college. Each scholarship is worth $1,000, and 50 will be awarded in a random drawing. You can download and fill out the application here. The scholarship program is sponsored by M3 Technology, the union's guaranteed acceptance voluntary benefit administrator. Good luck!

A New Column: Pete Donohue's Perspective on Transit

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Noted transit reporter Pete Donohue – for 16 years at the Daily News the authority on NYC mass transit – has now joined the Union’s staff. In welcoming Pete, we’re proud to announce a regular column especially for our members and the riding public. You used to read Pete in the Daily News. Now, you can catch him only on the TWU Local 100 website. Enjoy Pete’s first column here, and check back weekly for more.

An American Union Story

When the mine whistle sounded in Dickson City, Pa., everyone in the small blue-collar town momentarily froze with fear. The sound was an ominous announcement that there had been a serious accident underground. Elementary school and high school students waited anxiously until their lunch hour when they would hustle home. Some wouldn’t be at their desks when class resumed.

“That’s how you knew whose father was killed or injured," my mother, Marlene, recalled. “Their desks would be empty.”

Her father, Frank Ceci, worked the mines for decades. He started in the early 1900s at approximately 13 years old. At first, he worked above ground as a “breaker boy” picking out unwanted slate from the coal. He joined the men going into the "hole" a few years later. One of his earliest work memories was of men dying during cave-ins. The mining company would have the dead man carried home.

"They'd leave the body on the porch," my mother said.

TWU Local 100 at the 2015 National Puerto Rican Day Parade

Dozens of TWU Local members from all over the transit system proudly marched down 5th Avenue at the annual Puerto Rican Day parade, an exuberant celebration which is reflected in these great photos by our very own Noah Rodriguez. Enjoy!

Labor Movement Unites Behind TWU Local 100 to Amend Vision Zero Law

New York's most influential labor unions, representing some 3 million members in the State and City of New York, have signed on to a joint letter to the New York City Council, urging an amendment to the Vision Zero law which has resulted in the needless arrests of Bus Operators. Read the complete letter here.

Family Day 2015 in Photos

A Message from John Samuelsen:

I want to thank everyone who contributed to the incredible, unprecedented success of our annual Family Day. The wonderful families that make TWU Local 100 such an amazing institution were on full display. The sun was shining (for the most part), and the aroma of grilled meat and fish was floating all over Coney Island. Our Family Day has now developed its own unique style of awesome divisional tailgating, with all kinds of great food and "interesting" beverages.