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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.

Union Wins Representation Election at Connecticut STA School Bus Company

JUNE 13 -- With all votes counted, TWU Local 100 has won a convincing victory at Student Transportation of America's Haddam/Killingworth unit, operating school bus services in the lower Connecticut river valley. TWU picked up 19 votes, with 9 voting "no union" and 5 going with the Teamsters. 50 workers were eligible to vote.

Union Holds Press Conference for Assaulted Bus Operator

JUNE 11 -- TWU Local 100 held a press conference today at the Union Hall to zero in on increasing assaults on buses. A female Bus Operator recounted an attack which she experienced on her B6 bus in East New York last Friday. The Operator, who did not want her name used, said she was punched when she refused to stop the bus at an unauthorized corner. She was badly bruised and wore an eye patch at the conference.

Local 100 President Richard Davis called her "a hero today" for having the courage to come forward. He called for District Attorneys to press for penalties of seven years in jail for those who assault transit workers. "The Mayor's office and the DA's need to come back to the table and talk to us about these issues," he said.

Secretary-Treasurer John Chiarello said, "The MTA is not living up to its obligation to protect members on the job. We want MTA CEO Jan Lieber to deploy all of his resources." He called for underground police officers to be deployed on buses.

TA Surface Vice President JP Patafio called the asssaults "a type of micro-terrorism" and said that members would not stand for it.

Bus Operator Assaulted During Route Detour

June 8, 2024 – At approximately 11:30 am today, veteran bus driver, Isaac Egharevba, with 17 years of service was violently attacked while operating the number 3 shuttle near the Grand Ave Depot. The incident occurred amidst tensions caused by a route detour, which had made several passengers irate.

The operator was performing his duties as assigned, when an unknown assailant unexpectedly sliced him on the left side of his face, between the neck and jaw. Initially believing he had been punched, Egharevba quickly realized the severity of his injury when he began bleeding profusely. Demonstrating remarkable presence of mind, he safely stopped the bus and called for assistance.

Responders arrived promptly, providing him immediate medical attention after he sustained a deep laceration. He is currently resting, being treated for his wound. TA Surface Recording Secretary Alexander Kemp responded to the scene and provided essential support to the injured member. Once EMTs tended to Isaac and transported him to the hospital, Chairman Clarence remained by his side offering support to our him and his family.

Richard Davis, President of TWU Local 100 said "The safety of our drivers is non-negotiable. This violent attack on one of our own is an attack on us all. We will not rest until the assailant is brought to justice." The union urges all members to remain vigilant. An investigation is currently underway and authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and gathering witness accounts to identify and apprehend the assailant. Our thoughts are with the operator and his family during this time.

"Death Gamble" Heading Towards Passage

JUNE 5 -- With only two days to go before the end of the legislative session in Albany, the Union has been advised that our "Death Gamble" pension legislation is set to pass both houses. This provision benefits MTA/NYCT members' estates who attained the years of service and age requirements for a full pension, but died before retiring without having filed for retirement.

If a member dies in active service, his or her beneficiaries receive a death benefit, generally equal to three times their regular salary. This is often less than the family would receive if the member had retired and filed for a pension.

With the passage of the new bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn) and Assemb. Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Queens), the family of a transit worker who dies in active service, and who has met the age/service requirement for a full pension, will receive the full value of that pension benefit, as if they had retired on the date of their death.

President Davis thanked TWU Local 100 PAC Director Sharase DeBouse, Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato (in photo), Sen. Gounardes, and the many members of the legislature who stood by transit workers and guided this legislation to a successful conclusion.

#ABOUTTHEMBILLS

Congestion Pricing Stalls Out -- Workers' Concerns Weren't Addressed

Our members refuse to be taxed for simply coming to work, and they've made this abundantly clear at shopgates across the system. As the President of TWU Local 100, I will be steadfast in letting every legislator and politician know that this is where we stand. This isn't about convenience; it's about ensuring that the implementation of congestion pricing doesn't compromise the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of the transit system. It's about advocating for a plan that genuinely serves the common good, with necessary improvements and safeguards in place.

Janno Lieber, the face of this premature congestion pricing push, needs a reality check. Lieber did not make necessary service improvements nor consider the tolling flexibility our members need when going to work. We won't tolerate our essential workers being burdened by his ill-conceived plans. Governor Hochul's decision to delay congestion pricing implementation acknowledges this crucial point. It's a step towards ensuring that our transit system remains safe and efficient for both workers and riders. The MTA must prioritize these necessary improvements before adding any financial burdens to our essential workers.

Richard Davis, President

TWU Local 100

Station Agent's Assault Case Adjouned Until July 25th

June 3 -- The assault case for Station Agent Noreen Mallory, has been adjourned yet again until July 25th. This is the reality for many of those who suffer assaults while performing their duty. Court proceedings are often taxing for members, albeit necessary. "This would be so much harder if I didn't have the support of my union." Mallory said, "I am incredibly thankful that [Stations Vice President Robert] Kelley and my colleagues have come to all of my court appearances."

In this case, Ms. Mallory was assaulted while routinely roving the Wall Street Station. She noticed a mass underneath the bench and upon closer inspection, she realized it was a man resting there. Before she was able to send a notification through the emergency messaging system, she was attacked. Noreen sustained injuries to her eye and back as a result and is still on her journey to recovery.

The union encourages all members who may be available to stand in solidarity with Noreen Mallory at her next court appearance at 100 Centre Street on July 25th.

Update your contact information to ensure you receive notifications about court appearances.

At 9/11 Memorial Glade Ceremony, TWU Members Are Recognized

MAY 30 -- For the first time, TWU Local 100/MTA Honor Guard Capt. Jose Domenech walked proudly alongside the other agencies that played major roles at the 9/11 response and during the rescue and recovery effort. The Memorial Glade ceremony, which marks the end of the rescue and recovery effort in 2002, never included TWU Local members -- until now. Working with the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, President Davis and former President Utano have made it a priority to see that the 3,500 union members who responded on that fateful day are given their due.

At the ceremony, Museum President and CEO Beth Hillman acknowledged our TWU members, with President Davis and Tony Utano in the audience, along with scores of 9/11 families and guests from City agencies. We are all looking forward to this September, when the Museum will be showing 9/11 artifacts from transit, and will welcome our members for our annual medal ceremony.

Trial Date Set in Bus Assault; Union Objects to "Alternatives to Incarceration"

MAY 23 – Over 75 Bus Operators and other transit workers crowded a Manhattan criminal courtroom this morning for the trial of Rashon Eagle, who is accused of assaulting Bus Operator Moses Adams on the M15 Bus last February. After a brief scuffle with our Bus Operator, Eagle allegedly attacked Adams with a knife. Fortunately, our Operator was able to disarm him.

Bus Operator Adams was present in the courtroom along with his wife and Local 100 officers from MABSTOA including VP Donald Yates and Division Chair Sean Battaglia.

The case was called at 10:45am. In the brief hearing, a Legal Aid attorney representing the assailant said that his client’s last arrest had occurred in 2018 and that he was seeking an Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) decision for drug and mental health treatment. The judge said that the parties were free to agree on an ATI, but that in the meantime he was setting a trial date of August 15. The attacker, Rashon Eagle, is currently out on $3,000 cash bail.

Outside the court, MABSTOA VP Donald Yates disagreed with the possibility of an ATI. “Moses Adams faced a very terrible assault,” Yates said outside of court. “We’re not feeling like we’re getting the justice that is deserved in this matter. This case was an attempted murder. He fought for his life. The least the court system could do is prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. Our Operators face daily challenges while serving the public.”

Division Chair Sean Battaglia said in part, “This was attempted murder… We come to work to provide a service for the riding public. We do not come here to get assaulted. To hear that this accused attacker had the option of an ATI is an outrage. We’re not going to stand for it.”

Union Blasts Bronx DA for Mental Health Waiver in CTA Assault Case

TWU Local 100 Station VP Robert Kelley blasted Bronx DA Darcel Clark for allowing defendant Alexander Wright to claim mental health as a reason to delay his ongoing trial in the Bronx. Wright assaulted CTA Anthony Nelson in August of 2022, inflicting serious injuries which still have not healed. In this Fox 5 report, Kelley notes that Wright has over 40 arrests on his rap sheet and Fox 5 showed surveillance video of Wright sucker punching an Asian woman in Chinatown. Wright previously claimed mental illness and the trial was already put on hold once, before he was judged fit to stand trial. This latest delay comes from the Bronx DA's office and has stirred anger among transit workforce who see justice delayed yet again.