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GCS workers on the MTA's in-house live camera feed at the Board Meeting.

Before MTA Board, GCS Workers Speak Truth to Power

Six courageous present and former employees of Global Contact Services (GCS), the MTA's call center operator for Access-A-Ride, came to the formal meeting of the MTA Board of Directors on February 25th to act out a four-minute presentation on just why GCS is an abusive employer. As Board Members and the press watched, the TWU Local 100 members (the union won a representation on the property, but GCS is refusing to negotiate) spoke of excessive firings, the practice of the company of outsourcing and off-shoring American jobs, unequal work distribution, lack of training, and unfair discipline. They outlined how workers at First Transit, the company that held the call center contract before GCS underbid them, were making $16 to $18 an hour. GCS took over and cut everyone's pay by $4 an hour, so that employees are now making $11 and $12 an hour, with the most senior worker now making just $12.61. The union has set up a website about GCS abuses at www.gcsstoptheabuse.com.

Attorney Ken Page (at left) with Bus Operator Reginald Prescott outside Brooklyn Criminal Court

Bus Operator Case Removed from Docket by Brooklyn DA; Investigation Continues

In a clear victory in the Union's campaign against the summary arrests of Bus Operators under Vision Zero, the Brooklyn District Attorney's office, after discussions with TWU Local 100 Counsel Ken Page, has removed the case of Bus Operator Reginald Prescott from the criminal court calendar. Brother Prescott was involved in the tragic accident of December 23rd at New York Avenue and Farragut Road, in Brooklyn, which resulted in a fatality. Prescott was arrested at the scene under the vision zero law for "failure to yield." TWU Local 100 believes that the arrest of any Bus Operator after an accident is unwarranted, unless there is clear evidence of recklessness. The MTA/NYCT already has very strict guidelines that are followed when a serious bus accident occurs.

Briefing Local 100 members after the court date, Attorney Page made the point that for a criminal act to occur, it has to be established that there was an intent to do harm. Blind spots, road and weather conditions, and the speed of the bus are also factors that are being reviewed. More than 50 Bus Operators turned out to support their union brother. When his name was called in court, all stood in unison.

Watch this space for a video including more information and details on the case.

Liberty Lines Members Show Solidarity As Contract Countdown Begins

TWU Local 100 Administrative Vice President Angel Giboyeaux went to Liberty Lines in Yonkers last week -- where he worked as a Bus Operator for 20 years before rising through the ranks to be one of the Union's top four. Angel (center in the photo) led the TWU negotiating team and will sit down again with management in 2016 to hammer out the next union contract. In the visit, he talked contract with rank and file members and set the countdown ticking towards 2016. Local 100 is also pushing for Liberty to win additional commuter work on the upcoming bus-only lane planned for the Tappan Zee bridge.

Daneek Miller: Bus Drivers Need Support, Not Cuffs

In an Op-Ed in Sunday's Daily News, Councilman Daneek Miller -- 20-year Bus Operator and former President of ATU Local 1056 -- lays it on the line about the criminalization of Bus Operators under the new "Vision Zero" law:

"Every day, some 8 million commuters take public transportation in the New York City area, and about 2.5 million ride the MTA’s 5,700 buses along 310 routes. It’s the largest municipal bus system in the nation.

Running such a system on our busy streets is no small feat. It demands the often grueling labor and attention of thousands of bus operators — professionals whose work is essential to our weekday commutes, our weekend plans and even our regional economy. I know, because for nearly two decades I drove a city bus through Brooklyn and Queens.

Now, a misguided and disproportionate enforcement push threatens these operators and jeopardizes their ability to deliver service to the high standards New Yorkers expect and need.

Read the entire piece here.

NYC DOT Commissioner Trottenberg: "We're really trying to have a partnership with the TWU and the MTA"

Greg Mocker of WPIX-TV, reporting on February 19, drew out City officials on the question of why NYCT Bus Operators are being arrested after traffic accidents under the new Vision Zero law. In response to a question from the reporter, NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg said: "The point of Vision Zero is not to target bus drivers. We're really trying to have a partnership with the TWU and the MTA, and make things safe for everybody." In the same newscast, TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen spoke on camera, making the point that Bus Operators are being arrested in cases where no recklessness has been shown, and that they are expected on the one hand to navigate busy intersections where pedestrians are walking on the one hand, and then are being arrested when accidents happen through no fault of their own.

Daily News Columnist Pete Donohue's Take on Bus Operator Arrest

FEBRUARY 16 -- In today's Daily News, transit reporter and Columnist Pete Donohue gives his take on the arrest of Bus Operator Francisco de Jesus under "Vision Zero" guidelines, which Donohue calls "zero common sense." His intro to the article:

Francisco de Jesus, 58, was arrested after he accidentally struck and injured a 15-year-old girl in Brooklyn Friday. Under prior mayoral administrations, de Jesus would have received a ticket charging him with a non criminal traffic violation. But under Vision Zero, he was brought to a precinct like a common criminal.

Read the column here.

Union Safety Team's Urgent Warning as Coldest Temps of Winter Hit New York

Exercise Extreme Caution While Working in the Cold

This entire week will be bone chilling cold, and that presents extra dangers and hardships for transit workers, especially those working on elevated structures, where wind is also a factor. Please refer to our "Working in the Cold" advisory for further tips and warnings on the dangers posed by this extreme weather.

TWU Responds to Arrest of Bus Operator after Brooklyn Accident

Local 100 President John Samuelsen and Vice President JP Patafio lashed out at the arrest of one of our Bus Operators after a tragic accident in Brooklyn under Mayor de Blasio's Vision Zero plan. The Daily News and the New York Times had the most comprehensive pieces.

Read Pete Donohue's take here.

The Times reported that Samuelsen "called the girl’s injury a tragedy but said the city and its police force were putting drivers in an impossible situation by arresting them for accidents." The paper quoted him as follows: “They navigate incredibly difficult streets loaded with pedestrians, and they do this without any enforcement on the pedestrian end of things,” Mr. Samuelsen said, adding, “To arrest an operator for an unintentional accident is really just absolutely outrageous, illogical and anti-worker.”

Standing Strong: TWU Sec-Treas. Phillips and Attorney Rubenstein Announce Civil Suit

STANDING STRONG: TWU Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips joins attorney Sanford Rubenstein as he announces a civil suit filed against those who contributed to the death of NYCT Bus Operator William Pena one year ago. In this video, Pena’s wife Nancy Rodriguez also talks about her husband’s death from the perspective of a year’s passing. Dozens of TWU Local 100 members joined Phillips, Rubenstein, and Nancy Rodriguez as the attorney announced the civil suit and described what it alleges.

Video also available on TWU Local 100's Facebook page.

In Pena Case, Atty Rubenstein Files Civil Suit Against Establishments that Served Whilby

FEBRUARY 12 -- One year to the day after drunk driver Domonic Whilby drove a bread truck full on into a city bus driven by Bus Operator Willie Pena, killing him, attorney Sanford Rubenstein, acting on behalf of Willie's widow, Nancy Rodriguez, and his daughter, Gabrielle, served fancy club 1Oak, the Dream Hotel, and two trucking companies with a 303 count civil lawsuit for damages. Bus Operator Willie Pena, a career NYCT Bus Driver and TWU Local 100 member, was proceeding down 14th Street in the early morning when Whilby's truck came flying down 7th Avenue. Pena, who drove out of the Quill Depot and had 17 years on the job, was pronounced dead at the scene. Whilby, who was partying with his uncle, actor/model Tyson Beckford, and model Shanina Shaik, was not cut off by bartenders when he should have been, the suit says. Additionally, the trucking firm failed to secure the idling bread truck, enabling the drunken Whilby to steal it and and go on his fatal joyride. Whilby is currently at Riker's awaiting trial on a raft of charges including Murder in the Second Degree. At the press conference, TWU Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips spoke of the sadness of the union family at the one year mark and of our determination to stay the course until justice is served. Nancy spoke movingly to the assembled press corps about the void in her and her daughter's lives now that Willie is gone.