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Whilby Attorney Wants to Examine Pena's Bus as Discovery Continues in Bus Operator Murder Case

May 13 -- TWU Local 100 officers and staff joined Nancy Rodriguez, widow of slain Bus Operator William Pena, their daughter Gabrielle, attorney Sanford Rubenstein, and friends in court to continue to press for justice. Domonic Whilby, charged with Murder in the Second Degree, Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, seven other criminal counts, was led into court in handcuffs looking fit and trim in a black t-shirt and denim jeans. He has been incarcerated since his arrest on February 12, the day of Pena's death at 7th Avenue and 14th Street in Manhattan. His attorney, Laura Miranda, said she wants to examine Pena's M-14 bus, and asked for another test to be done on her client's blood samples from the day of the accident. Judge Gregory Carro, ruling to continue discovery in the case, set the next court date for June 24. Outside the court house, Nancy, TWU Local 100 MaBSTOA Vice Chair Don Yates, and Attorney Rubenstein talked to the media.

Sen. Espaillat flanked by union officers and rank and file at the LCLAA dinner on April 8

Espaillat Sees Merit in Vision Zero Exemption

State Senator Adriano Espaillat (D-Washington Heights/Upper West Side) indicated his support of a bill sponsored in the State Assembly by Walter Mosley and in the Senate by Martin Malave Dilan that would exempt Bus Operators from being arrested for violation of the "right of way" in an intersection. The remarks came at a dinner honoring Latin American achievement. TWU Local 100 has made passage of an amendment to the Vision Zero bill championed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio a priority after Bus Operator, acting with due care within intersections, were involved in serious accidents and faced summary arrest. Local 100 President John Samuelsen has called the law unfair for "criminalizing" Bus Operators who did nothing wrong and followed rules to the letter. The law does not address pedestrian behavior, traffic signals at dangerous intersections, and other warning devices which also have a necessary role in preventing accidents.

Pete Donohue Joins TWU Family

TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen today announced that Pete Donohue, the Pulitzer nominated transit reporter and columnist for the NY Daily News, is joining the TWU staff at Transport Hall, 195 Montague Street in Brooklyn.

President Samuelsen said: “I am thrilled to announce that one of New York’s finest reporters has accepted our offer to join us here at TWU.  For 22 years, Pete covered the courts, politics, general news and the transit beat with a blue-collar style and flair that was quintessential New York.  He reported on every event, big and small, involving our transit system for more than 15 years with the highest level of journalistic professionalism.  He always gave the workers a fair shake, and never failed to reach out to the union to allow our voice to be heard.  Pete had other opportunities available to him, but he chose us, and we’re happy to have him aboard.”

Samuelsen added that Donohue will work with TWU Local 100, representing nearly 40,000 members at the MTA, private bus and school bus companies, and New York Bikeshare, and TWU Local 101, representing workers at National Grid. During his career with the News, Donohue was considered one of the best reporters in the highly competitive New York City market.  Since 1993, he built a reputation as a tough but fair journalist who not only got big stories first, but got them right.

Rec. Sec. Crisp-Sauray, Surviving Family Commemorate William Peña on Workers Memorial Day

On April 28, TWU Local 100 joined with local labor leaders and workers safety advocates to mark Workers Memorial Day. On the occasion, Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp-Sauray and MaBSTOA I Chairman Richie Davis joined surviving members of the Peña family to commemorate his tragic death in the line of duty.