About two dozen people picketed outside Local 100’s offices April 18, chanting that the TWU had “abandoned” over 600 members who recently lost their jobs at First Transit. While a few of the pickets hope to score some cheap political points, most of them are understandably angry at losing their jobs. However, their anger is misdirected.
First Transit lost their bid to continue their contract with the MTA. They were underbid by an anti-union contractor from South Carolina. Despite our efforts, the new contractor refused to hire most of the existing workforce. But we never abandoned our brothers and sisters there. In fact, the Local is continuing its efforts to force the new contractor to bargain with the TWU and offer jobs to the workers from First Transit. Charges have been filed at the NLRB against the MTA and the new contractor for discriminating against the workforce in place because of their membership in the TWU.
