Stations Department Vice President Robert Kelley acknowledges management's memo commending our Station Agents and CTA's for their exemplary work during the just-concluded snow emergency situation that dumped more than a foot of snow on the City.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams praised transit workers on Sunday along with City workers on January 30 in the aftermath of a major snowfall that saw no significant interruptions in transit service.
The NYPD installed a new chief of police for the subway system.
The new Chief of Transit, Jason Wilcox, is a 35-year police veteran. He spent seven years as the commanding officer for all of Manhattan, supervising operations in Transit Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4. Transit Districts are essentially underground police precincts with geographic boundaries encompassing stations and segments of subway lines.
Introducing himself to the NYC Transit Committee at its monthly meeting Monday morning, Wilcox echoed the operational directives Mayor Eric Adams has vocalized when speaking about subway crime: greater visibility of police and more active patrols by uniformed officers.
“They will be on the trains and on the platforms,” Wilcox said. “They will be moving around. Every night, every day, you will see them. They will be there to protect you and make you feel safer.”
Wilcox said he is a lifelong city resident who has relied on the subway and bus system throughout his life. Growing up in Manhattan, his family never owned a car, he said.
A Local 100 campaign helped pressure the previous mayor to boost the number of officers in the Transit Bureau last year.
The number of Transit Bureau officers increased by approximately 1,000.
Local 100 endorsed Eric Adams based on his pledge to increase subway safety for both riders and workers. Local 100 President Tony Utano, who has spoken with Adams about the better deployment of officers, said he is encouraged by some of his actions in his first weeks in office, including directing above-ground precinct police officers to regularly park their cars and enter subway stations for spot-checks and to increase police visibility.
The new chief also indicated a greater focus on fare evasion began last year with a significant increase in summonses.
“We get it,” Wilcox said to a committee member pushing for enforcement. “I understand it. We’re committed to addressing that as well. It’s a matter of order that will we continue to try and maintain.”
TWU Local 100's Scholarship Program, sponsored by M3 Technology, is now accepting applications for 2022. $125,000 in scholarships will be given out in a random drawing of eligible applications. These college scholarships are open to union members, their children, their spouses, and the children and grandchildren of TWU Local 100 retirees. Just click on the image to download an application. Fill it out and mail it in! Good luck!
JANUARY 19 -- TWU Local 100 President Utano has demanded the MTA suspend use of Kronos timekeeping equipment for all Local 100 members because of the nationwide cyberattack and data breach.
In a letter to MTA Chairman Janno Lieber, Utano also insisted the MTA “fully and completely” compensate transit workers for any potential economic losses stemming from the attack - including time spent dealing with banks and credit card companies.
According to the MTA, unknown hackers gained access to files containing some personal information about MTA workers, which the MTA says is limited to commuter railroad workers. Previous representations by the MTA, however, have proved to be false so we are closely monitoring the situation.
The leaked data includes names, birthdates, addresses and emails, according to the authority.
The security breach is even more alarming because the MTA has revealed that Kronos does have some personal information about Local 100 members even though the Authority had repeatedly assured the union it would not provide the company with such data. The MTA was only supposed to provide individual names and pass numbers. The restriction was codified in an arbitration award after the union brought a case. Calling the disclosure an “absolute betrayal” that also violated a union arbitration award, Utano demanded an immediate investigation to determine those responsible.
In the absence of MTA compliance with these demands, Utano said the union will enforce its contractual rights for immediate arbitration.
In a welcome sign of cooperation and focus, Mayor Adams and Gov. Hochul announced Thursday new subway initiatives to increase safety and reduce the homeless population dwelling underground.
Adams, who was endorsed by TWU Local 100, said street-level police officers not responding to emergencies will be directed to park their cars and enter subway stations for security checks – and to increase the uniformed presence in the system. Subway-dedicated officers in the Transit Bureau will be directed to ride and walk through trains instead of congregating on mezzanines, he said. And officers sitting behind desks who can be of better service on patrol will be placed into transit patrol, he said, appearing with Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell.
“Omnipresence is the key,” Adams said at a press conference at the Fulton Transit Center in Manhattan. Hochul said the state will fund new homeless outreach teams consisting of mental health professionals and build more affordable housing with support services.
“We’re happy the new governor and new mayor are working together to improve safety for both riders and workers,” TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano said. “Riders come in and out of the system, but this is our office. This is where we spend 8, 10, or even more hours a day. The mayor and governor are giving the issue of public safety in the transit system the focus and attention that’s required.”
Officials said the goal was not to hound the homeless with enforcement for low-level infractions but to get them the help they need to move on with their lives, and out of the transit system. Adams indicated that he believes laws need to be enforced or adapted to deal with the thorny issue of handling subway dwellers who refuse services, including alternative shelter.
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