All News

Union Anger Over Delays in Prosecuting Bus Assault

OCTOBER 16 -- Local 100 VP Donald Yates, representing Manhattan and Bronx Bus Operators and Maintainers, took the court system to task for delays in prosecuting Rashon Eagle, who brutally assaulted Bus Operator Moses Adams at the end of his M15 Bus run at South Ferry in February. Also speaking outside the courthouse, Bus Division Operator Chair Sean Battaglia said the Union looks forward to what the People are demanding as a penalty -- five years' incarceration and five years' supervised release once the trial, which will begin next January, concludes.

(l-r) MABSTOA Officer Monique Rondon, Labor Press CEO Neal Tepel, Pres. Richard Davis, Nancy Galvet, Mario Galvet, Harriette Goodridge-Seymour, Emblem Health CEO Karen Ignagni, and Local 100 Health Benefits Director Chris Lightbourne

Galvet, James Given "Hero of Labor" Award for Work at 9/11

OCTOBER 9 -- EEM Mario Galvet and Conductor Guilaine James were given "Hero of Labor" awards for their work during the 9/11 rescue and recovery effort 23 years ago. The awards event, sponsored by Labor Press and Emblem Health, took place at Emblem's offices at 55 Water Street in lower Manhattan. As an EEM, Galvet worked on restoring radio communications after the towers sent down. James was a CTA at the time, assigned to clean debris with a paper mask and a tyvek suit that ripped during the clean-up. James didn't attend the ceremony due to respiratory problems. She retired from NYCT in 2012.

In his remarks, Galvet said he was accepting the award "on behalf of the nearly 4,000 TWU Local 100 members who responded to Ground Zero. Our members were the largest presence at Ground Zero in the immediate aftermath of the collapse of the towers," he said. "It was only our heavy duty equipment -- hundreds of trucks, 40-ton cranes that were brought down by barge from the 207th Street Yard, generators, fuel trucks, hundreds if not thousands of oxy-acetylene tanks to do all the cutting, front loaders bought in to clean all the debris from the towers. It was our guys who cleared that so that all the rescue crews could come in."

The awards were presented by Emblem Health CEO Karen Ignagni and Labor Press CEO Neal Tepel.

ABC 7 Coverage on Brutal Assault of Train Operator Myran Pollack

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 -- Our member, Train Operator Myran Pollack, is now in stable condition after undergoing emergency surgery on Tuesday, October 8th and a second procedure the morning of October 9th. He was viciously stabbed while performing his job, bringing to light the urgent need for changes in TA policies. TWU Local 100 is demanding immediate changes and a meaningful role in shaping policies that will protect our members. This is a pivotal moment to take action, to reduce the chances of such tragedies happening again. Watch ABC’s full coverage and support our push for lasting change.

Union Fury as Career Criminal Gets Out on Bail

SEPTEMBER 27 -- Stations VP Robert Kelley reacted with anger in front of the Bronx Hall of Justice when the judge rejected the people's request for higher bail and instead let career criminal Alexander Wright go free after he posted $500 for a bail bond. He is facing assault charges in an attack on Cleaner Anthony Nelson in 2022.

"CTA Anthony Nelson is dealing with a lot of mental [anguish] today," Kelley said. "He is very disheartened that this man is free after what he's done to him." Wright broke Nelson's collarbone and nose and the Cleaner had to have multiple surgeries.

Wright has another court appearance on Monday, and if he doesn't appear, he will again be subject to arrest.

Union Holds 2nd Commemoration at 9/11 Museum

SEPTEMBER 18 -- Eight TWU Local 100 members who served at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks were presented with commemorative medals at a ceremony held within the National September 11th Memorial and Museum on September 18th. President Richard Davis presented the medals, which are given to transit workers who suffered severe illnesses or injuries from their service on the pile. Union leadership, along with 9/11 Museum President Elizabeth Hillman and Chief Curator Jan Ramirez, also presented for public viewing a showcase in the Museum's Foundation Hall, dedicated to transit worker artfacts used in the rescue and recovery effort, including a flashlight, work vest, hard hat, and ID card. Also on display at the Museum is a NY Times photograph from September 12th, showing a Track Worker on the pile manning a fire hose.

In his remarks at the awarding of the medals (one of which was given posthumously and accepted by the widow and children of deceased TEMM John Dunne), President Davis said, "This exhibit is not just a display of artifacts; it's testament to the bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering spirit of the men and women who stepped forward without hesitation."

Look for complete coverage of the event in the next edition of the Transport Workers Bulletin.

Refreshed Crew Quarters — Chambers Street

SEPTEMBER 20 -- At 8AM on Friday morning, Local 100 and management held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the newly expanded and updated crew quarters for Construction Flaggers at Chambers Street in Lower Manhattan. The renovated space includes locker rooms for both male and female workers, with the women’s restroom now featuring six stalls—a likely record for transit facilities, indicating the growing number of women in the workforce.

New Dental Benefits Now in Effect

OCTOBER 15 -- President Richard Davis announced that TWU Local 100 has reached an agreement with a new provider, EmblemHealth, to significantly improve our dental benefits. These enhanced benefits feature an expanded network of top-tier providers and specialists, including:

100% coverage for preventive, basic, and major services.
One implant per year covered in full
Bone grafting
One fluoride treatment per child annually until age 26
An expanded network for pediatric dental care
Emergency bedside calls
Temporary dentures prior to permanent ones.
Higher annual maximums

The new policy includes 13,553 dentists in New York and New Jersey, and 415,000 + nationwide. This is the result of your union standing strong for you. You should have received your Emblem Health Premier Dental Plan card in the mail. If you have not recieved a card, and are represented by TWU Local 100 (OA/TA/MTA Bus, Liberty Lines) call 866-234-8697 for customer service.

Visit our Dental Page here.

Important Notice for Tier 6 Pension Members (2012-2022)

In 2021, TWU Local 100 raised serious concerns about the MTA’s pension calculations under the Tier 6 legislation, and our concerns were right on target. The MTA has confirmed that thousands of workers were overcharged for Tier VI contributions. As a result of our advocacy, the MTA is now refunding these wrongful deductions, with interest accrued through August 1, 2024.This correction affects approximately 8,000 Tier 6 employees from 2012-2022, who will receive the money that was incorrectly taken from them. However, despite our years of fighting for justice, several significant issues remain unresolved. The audit also revealed that some members may have been undercharged, and as a result were not paying into their pension.

To address this, the union secured payment options for any required repayments, ensuring that they are manageable. This prevents members from facing undue financial strain and ensures they retain their full pension benefits. Without our intervention, members could have been faced with paying interest on this money from day one until retirement, paying the amount in full, or even subject to loss of time counted toward retirement. We have filed a lawsuit against the MTA due to persistent problems with how they are calculating the amounts owed, the interest they promised to return , and the lack of effective dispute resolution methods.

Download a copy of this notification by clicking here

VICTORY: Judge Orders MTA to Restore Bus Service Levels!

JULY 18 -- New York State Justice Arthur Engoron today signed a temporary restraining order enjoining the MTA New York City Transit from allowing service cuts that were implemented on buses system-wide to continue. He ordered that the agency restore service levels to what they were before the cut began on July 12. Speaking outside the courthouse, TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis hailed the decision as a major victory for riders and workers. In court, TWU Local 100 attorney Arthur Schwartz offered to put the Vice Presidents of TASurface, MaBSTOA, and MTA Bus — all of whom were in the audience — to testify to the reality of the cuts.

Career & Salary Unit Approves New Contract, 503 to 8

JUNE 13 -- Over 500 members of the TWU's Career & Salary Unit, representing computer and telecommunications professionals and staff analysts working for the MTA, overwhelmingly approved a new contract which was recently negotiated and approved by the Union's Executive Board. The terms closely parallel those obtained by the main TWU Local 100 TA/OA/MTA Bus agreement. The Unit is made up of administrative and technical titles working under both the MaBSTOA and MTA Bus companies.

MaBSTOA Career and Salary votes tallied: 456 Yes / 8 No

MTA Bus votes tallied: 47 Yes / 0 No

President Richard Davis gave his congratulations to the members of the unit, many of whom work at MTA headquarters at 2 Broadway. "This is a good win for all of our Career and Salary members," he said. "We fulfilled key expectations that made their way to the negotiating table."

You can read the MOU for the MABSTOA represented titles here.

You can read the MOU for the MTA Bus represented titles here.