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TWU Scores Big Win for Worker, Rider Safety As Mayor Announces 250 More Cops for Subway

Following is a statement from TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano on the announcement by City Hall that 250 more Police Officers will be deployed in the subways.

MAY 17 -- Under constant attack from Local 100, the mayor has caved and is putting 250 more police into the subway. He made the announcement this morning. That’s on top of the approximately 750 additional officers, including Auxiliary police and Academy graduates, he was badgered into surging into the system earlier this year.

Local 100 and TWU International has been hammering the mayor on the lack of safety. We held press conferences, helped members tell their stories and experiences, took out a full-page ad in the Daily News, formed a coalition of labor leaders and unions to support our mission, and took other actions.

This is undeniably a big win. The mayor has finally taken his head out of the sand. There’s more to be done but this is a significant step forward. Workers and riders have a right to work and ride in safety.”

MTA Site Has COVID Vaccine Info, Appointment Info

Make no mistake. COVID-19 is still a deadly killer, with new variants. But the vaccine protects against them. Thousands of TWU Local 100 members have taken the COVID-19 vaccine with no ill effects. On the COVID-19 Employee Resource Site members can schedule an appointment or upload your vaccination card. Updated vaccine site hours are posted here, information sheets, and FAQs. Here's the latest fact sheet on COVID-19.

Pres. Utano Addresses News Conference after Slashings at Union Square

MAY 14 -- After three riders were slashed on the 4 Train starting at Union Square, Local 100 President Tony Utano addressed the media in a joint press conference with MTA CEO Pat Foye. He called on NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio to resign.

Union Action Upgrades Case Against Man Who Assaulted Conductor

After TWU Local 100 put a spotlight on the unhinged rider who threatened a subway Conductor early Monday morning at the Willets Point station, the police re-interviewed our union brother – and upgraded the case from a mere violation to criminal menacing.

A detective from the NYPD Transit Bureau is now investigating and trying to identify the individual who terrorized Conductor Kevin Rivera. Once the man is identified, police will try to locate and arrest him.
“Thank God for the union,” Rivera said. “The union opened up everyone’s eyes to what happened, including the NYPD. I really appreciate the union.”

Police officers who responded to Willets Point in Queens wrote up the case as harassment – a violation, which is at the same level as a parking ticket. With such a case, police are unable to make an arrest or take any enforcement action. Menacing is a B misdemeanor punishable by jail time.

The NY Post was one of the many media outlets that reported on the incident once Local 100 brought it to their attention.

At News Conference on Subway Crime, RTO VP Loegel Announces Increased Charges for Assaulter

MAY 12 -- At a news conference called by the Union, RTO VP Eric Loegel gave the union's rebuttal to the Mayor's statement that subway crime is under control. He called upon the Mayor to bring more police and mental health services to the system. In addition, he announced that charges against an individual who threatened and chased a Conductor with a razor have been upgraded.

Eric Adams Addresses Subway Crime at Press Conference with TWU Local 100

MAY 10 -- In a news conference at the site of where a woman was brutally mugged, thrown to the ground and her backpack stolen, Brooklyn Borough President and Mayoral Candidate Eric Adams discusses his approach to subway crime and the steps he will take to bring New York City back from an environment which is out of control.

At the same event, Local 100 President Tony Utano explains why Eric Adams enjoys the Union's strong support.

TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano blasts Mayor for saying subway riders with safety concerns should be laughed at

May 7 -- TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano today issued this statement in reaction to Mayor de Blasio's refusal to recognize the severity of crime in the subway system:

"Mayor de Blasio’s shameless political hackery has reached new depths.

"The mayor said that “a real New Yorker” would not be afraid of riding the subway. He said any subway rider with safety concerns should be “laughed out of the room.”

"Clearly and unfortunately, the mayor has future political ambitions, and he wants to foster this fiction that everything is wonderful in the transit system. The fact that he made these comments hours after a transit worker was nearly killed, and during a steady drumbeat of erratic, alarming and dangerous conduct in the subway, much of it by people with serious mental health issues, is stunning and outrageous. Transit riders, workers and all voters will remember this betrayal."

Here are the Mayor’s comments as reported in the Daily News:
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-subway-stabbing-slash-overnight-20210506-ns4jasm4rzcbxjoipnssufjvju-story.html

Conductor Badly Slashed in Queens; Aunt Pleads for More Police

MAY 6 -- After the near-fatal slashing of her nephew, Conductor Gerard Sykes, his Aunt, Cassandra, begged Mayor de Blasio for more police to combat the crime wave currently engulfing the subway system. TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano responded to Jamaica Hospital along with RTO VP Eric Loegel. Brother Sykes had two emergency surgeries and is now declared in stable condition.

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Queens Memorial Honors Our Transit Workers Who Died of COVID-19

2.5% Contractual Raise on May 16, 2021

MAY 5 -- Local 100 President Tony Utano today announced that the third of four contractual raises resulting from the current TWU agreement with the MTA will show up in our checks on the following dates:

• For OA and TA, May 26th - 27th, respectively.
• For MTA Bus, June 3rd

This is the third of the four contractual raises negotiated in late 2019 and ratified by the membership in January 2020. The final increase of 2.75 percent will be effective on May 16, 2022.

“Our members deserve this raise. Our contract has kept us well ahead of inflation, and it has provided strong financial security for our members during the pandemic, and I believe will continue to do so for the next two years,” said Utano.

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