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Op Ed: Samuelsen and Bronx BP Diaz On How the MTA Can Create Good Jobs

JULY 14 -- In an opinion piece in today's Daily News, TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen joins with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., to explain how the MTA should take the initiative in creating community-based local jobs for New Yorkers, financed by the new capital construction plan. They point out that since 1990, New York State has lost more than half its manufacturing jobs, and that the MTA Capital Plan is a way to get back on track. A plan put forward by Jobs to Move America, which Local 100 endorses, gives points to MTA bidders for training and hiring minority workers who live in our communities. Read the op-ed piece here.

In Harlem, Espaillat Speaks at TWU/NAACP Event

In Harlem, Espaillat Speaks at TWU/NAACP Event

Adriano Espaillat, Democratic Primary Winner in the 13th Congressional District, made his first post-primary appearance in central Harlem last Thursday at an event sponsored by TWU Local 100 and the NAACP's NYCHA Chapter. Awards were given to African-American authors of both fiction and non-fiction works, with one recognition award also given to TWU Local 100, Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips accepting for President Samuelsen.

Adriano Espaillat, Democratic Primary Winner in the 13th Congressional District, made his first post-primary appearance in central Harlem last Thursday at an event sponsored by TWU Local 100 and the NAACP’s NYCHA Chapter. Awards were given to African-American authors of both fiction and non-fiction works, with one recognition award also given to TWU Local 100, Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips accepting for President Samuelsen.

In the reception preceding the awards, Senator Espaillat, who is favored to win election to Congress in November, was warmly welcomed by prominent political leaders including Assemblyman Michael Blake, State Senator Bill Perkins, Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman, and Assemblyman Victor Pichardo. Also in attendance was the Consul General of the Republic of South Africa, Mrs. Mathula Nkosi, who shared her country's grief over recent killings of African-American men in the United States.

Sen. Espaillat gave a speech that touched on the recent tragic deaths protested by the black lives matter movement as well as his roots in Manhattan and his discovery, as a young man, of the Harlem community. He recounted being stopped and frisked as a teen and called for criminal justice reform. The event was held at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture on 135th Street and Malcolm X Boulevard. Photos: Sen. Espaillat with Ms. Nkosi, Marvin Holland, and TWU's Dawn Sobers. Sen. Espaillat with Assemblymembers Blake, Hyndman, and Pichardo.

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Westchester Private Lines Picnic an Awesome Success

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JULY 9 – 750 transit workers from our Private Lines Department and their families enjoyed a fabulous picnic with first-class entertainment at Redmond Park in Yonkers. It was our third picnic at the same venue. Said TWU Local 100 Administrative Vice President Angel Giboyeaux: “It was an awesome event, everyone had a really good time, and I’m very pleased that not only did many members from Liberty Lines and many Westchester school bus properties show up, but we also had members come from Quality/Brothers Bus in Brooklyn.” The Family Day event mirrored our Coney Island/MCU Park for TA/OA employees held in June. We had face painting and bouncy castles for the kids, loads of food and music, and fantastic magic show. Three members won big raffle prizes contributed by our sponsors. “We’re going to continue to build this event into the future,” said Giboyeaux. Enjoy the photos!

Top Clinton Campaign Staffers Meet with TWU in Washington

The TWU International's blog announced a meeting that just took place between TWU International President Harry Lombardo and two top officials of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. One of those staffers, Michelle Gilliam, worked for TWU Local 100 as an Organizer from 2011 to 2015, when she joined the Bernie Sanders campaign. She has now become a Deputy Labor Campaign Director for the Clinton campaign. The TWU endorsed Ms. Clinton for President last month. Read the blog post here. With Brother Lombardo are (l-r) Transit Division Director Jerome Lafragola, Government Affairs Director Brendan Danaher, and Lori D'Orazio and Michele Gilliam, both Deputy Labor Campaign Directors for Ms. Clinton.

Third Time’s the Charm as TWU Local 100 Propels Espaillat to Victory in the 13th CD Race!

JUNE 29 -- TWU Local 100 took a victory lap along with Democratic Primary Winner Adriano Espaillat in upper Manhattan and the Bronx last night. It was Espaillat's third run for Congress and with the help of Local 100's political organizing, he has prevailed.

With just over a thousand registered Democratic voters in the District, TWU members were, without any doubt, the margin of victory in Espaillat’s 36.7% to 33.1% win over Assemblyman Keith Wright. We established a Bronx TWU campaign office and mounted an extremely effective and unprecedented get-out-the-vote effort among Local 100 members. PAC Director Marvin Holland and his team put in long hours for weeks. Notably, Train Operator Dawn Sobers (on the ladder) ran Local 100’s most comprehensive and detailed member-to-member operation in our history, charting out our members, educating them on the issues and urging them to vote. Bus Operators from Kingsbridge jumped into the campaign along with TWU members in other titles.

When it all came down to the finish line, TWU was the first union Adriano thanked in his victory speech just a block from the Dyckman Avenue stop on the #1 train, stating, “All along, every single time, they stood with me – TWU!." President John Samuelsen said: "This victory belongs in large part to each and every rank and file Local 100 member who worked on the campaign and voted in this election."

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NYC Pride’s Exuberant Parade Highlights TWU

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Turning onto 5th Avenue from 40th Street at just about 6pm, TWU’s Pride contingent boasted a float, a City bus, a big banner, and high spirits. Members danced atop the float as our DJ worked a powerful sound system and reminded the huge crowds along the parade route that the marchers are the subway and bus workers who move New York. Parade judges near Washington Square park saluted the TWU and welcomed Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp-Sauray for a photo op. The late-step off was due to the huge number of floats and marchers this year, with many wanting to make a statement in the aftermath of the tragic events in Orlando. If you weren’t there, enjoy the (slide) show!

Judge Rules: Vision Zero Law Unconstitutional

A Vision Zero law that Mayor de Blasio used to arrest Bus Operators is unconstitutional, a Queens judge has ruled.

Echoing the arguments TWU Local 100 has made for more than a year, Judge Gia L. Morris on Friday dismissed criminal charges that police levied against school Bus Operator Isaac Sanson. Sanson’s school bus fatally struck a pedestrian at a Queens‘ intersection in December 2014. He was charged under the “Right of Way” law for allegedly failing to drive with “due care.” But that’s too vague a standard for a criminal charge, and wrongly put the burden of proof on the defendant, Morris ruled. The vague “due care” is more suitable for a civil case, Morris wrote in the decision.

The decision sets a very important precedent for future cases. "Judge Morris clearly, forcefully and correctly ruled that Bill de Blasio essentially trampled on the Constitution, and on the rights of hard working, conscientious MTA Bus Operators,” Local 100 President John Samuelsen said. “The judge has validated TWU Local 100’s objection to these wrongful arrests in the aftermath of accidents."

TWU Local 100’s campaign against the arresting of bus operators under Vision Zero included a federal lawsuit, full-page ads in major newspapers and job actions that slowed down bus service.

Assailant of Bus Operator Gets Four Years in Jail

JUNE 24 -- News outlets including the Daily News covered yesterday's sentencing of Alfredo Perez, convicted of two counts of assault in the 2nd Degree, and one count of possession of a deadly weapon, in the unprovoked attack on Bus Operator John Browne in September of 2014. The post-conviction sentencing hearing came at Brooklyn Supreme Court under Judge Michael Gary. Perez was sentenced to four years in prison and three years' probation on each of the first two counts, and one year of prison on the third count. He will serve the sentences concurrently.

Reporter Christina Carrega Woodby writes;

A face-tattooed Bronx man was sentenced to four years in prison for slashing a bus driver’s face and neck for no reason. “I could have lost my life,” said MTA bus operator John Browne during his victim impact statement in Brooklyn Supreme Court on Thursday. Browne, 45, was waiting for his B35 bus to get repaired near Mother Gaston Blvd. and Hegeman Ave. in Brownsville when Alfredo Perez approached and cut him with a knife, unprovoked. Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Gary found Perez guilty of assault and criminal possession of a knife after a bench trial.

Read the whole story here.

It includes video footage of Brother Browne speaking about the assault, surrounded by TAS Surface officers including Vice President JP Patafio and Division Chair Willie Rivera, and others.

Other coverage also appeared on New York 1 and in other news outlets.

The Brooklyn District Attorney's office put out this press release, applauding the sentence.

Update: Trial Date Set in Pena Case

JUNE 21 -- Manhattan Criminal Court Justice Gregory Carro, in a noontime conference with Assistant District Attorney Randolph Clarke and the attorney for the accused killer of Bus Operator William Pena, set August 11th as the date for evidentiary hearings in the case and September 15th as a trial date. Dominic Whilby, whose stolen truck crashed into Pena's M14 bus early in the morning of February 12, 2014, had refused the people's offer of 14 to 24 years in prison. TWU members and officers including VP of Private Lines Pete Rosconi and RTO Conductor Chair Crystal Young, were in court today to support Willie's widow, Nancy Rodriguez, and their daughter Gabrielle. Mr. Whilby was brought into court from jail for the brief appearance before Judge Carro. We're asking for all TWU members to plan on attending these two upcoming dates to provide support for Willie's family and send a message to the criminal justice system about the importance of this case to all transit workers. The evidentiary hearings scheduled for August 11 will be about the admissability of evidence and witnesses to the crime.

Stations VP Derrick Echevarria (at left) stands with bill supporters including State Sen. Kevin Parker (center), rank and file union members, and City Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras

Cleaner Assault Bill Achieved Victory Due to a Determined Effort

Rank and File Transit Workers, Key Legislators, and Union's PAC Department All Gave Maximum Effort

TWU Local 100 Cleaners can now go about their jobs with the assurance that they have significant new protection under law from assaults on the job. It's a long-awaited victory for the CTA's, who now join other transit titles who were covered earlier under these provisions. From now on, anyone assaulting a Cleaner can be charged with a D Felony, that carries a penalty of up to seven years in jail.

When the New York State Assembly passed A.10048B, a companion bill to S. 4550A on the Senate side, it was due to a powerful effort by key legislators, who championed TWU Local 100's cause. Prominent among them were Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, who joined her colleague in the Senate, Kevin Parker, as prime movers of the legislation.

TWU Local 100 Stations Department Vice President Derrick Echevarria and Political Action Director Marvin Holland lobbied tirelessly to coordinate the winning effort. A rank and file lobbying effort, coordinated by the TWU PAC, in which Local 100 Cleaners directly lobbied New York State legislators in Albany, was pivotal in bringing the Union victory home.

The passage of the legislation was announced by TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen, who made this measure a priority beginning in 2011. "Our subway cleaners are on the front lines of the busiest subway system in the country," Samuelsen said. "Now they have the same protection under state law as police, firefighters, train operators, train conductors and bus operators. Anyone who assaults a cleaner can be prosecuted for a felony - and sent to state prison. Judges and prosecutors should not hesitate in using this newly granted authority."

Samuelsen singled out State Senator Adriano Espaillat, who is currently running for Congress with the Union's endorsement, as an early supporter and strong champion of the Cleaner assault bill. He asks all TWU members to join him and Sen. Espaillat on June 22nd at 1818 Cedar Avenue, Bronx NY 10453, from 3 to 5 PM. The event is called both to celebrate the passage of the bill and support Sen. Espaillat in his campaign for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 13th CD in Manhattan.