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Transit Workers -- Essential All the Time

Transit workers are essential all the time.

The MTA would be making a grave mistake if it moved to reduce transit worker jobs, TWU Local 100 stressed again after Sunday’s sabotage and derailment.

Local 100 President Tony Utano was quoted in the NY Daily News and other media outlets following the incident.

“This was an all-hands on deck emergency with transit workers from multiple divisions responding to assist riders and then begin repairing the extensive damage” Utano said. “It’s a stark reminder that the MTA can’t cut its front-line workers even if the federal government fails to provide funding in a COVID relief package.”

The Operator and Conductor on board the A train that derailed stepped up in the crisis as transit workers always do, Utano said. They helped evacuate riders, and the Train Operator tended to a wounded passenger. Another train was stuck in the area of ‪34th St.‬ Transit workers again assisted in their safe passage out of the system.

MOW workers, meanwhile, pulled off another miracle, working around the clock to restore subway service for the ‪Monday morning‬ rush.

photos by Marc Hermann, MTA Photographer and Union Member

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CIOH Workers Mourn Passing of Frank Gurrera, 95, an Inspiration to Generations of Transit Workers

Local 100 Members at the Coney Island Overhaul Shop are in mourning today with the news that Frank Gurrera had passed away at the age of 95. Frank had worked at the shop for 50 years and was an “inspiration” to his co-workers both union and management, according to Shop Chair Eugene Leybovich.

Local 100 President Tony Utano said of Frank’s passing: “This is a very sad day for everyone in Local 100 and New York City Transit, especially our Brothers and Sisters at the Coney Island Overhaul shop. He was a wonderful, kind man who brought joy to his workplace every day. He was not only a skilled machinist, but a teacher and mentor to generations of transit workers at Coney Island. We all owe Frank a huge debt of gratitude for his skill as a worker, his dedication to his union, his love of his coworkers, and his lifetime of contributions to NYCT, our great City and our country. He is a shining example of the very best of the human spirit. May he Rest in Peace.”

Shirley Martin, Vice President of Car Equipment, said this about Brother Gurrera: "Frank was an amazing individual. At the young age of 95, his brain was very sharp and he could still fabricate the most intricate precision work. I’m going to miss his smile when used to see me and say "Here comes my favorite Union rep!"

Sister Martin continued: "Each time I asked him when he was going to retire he’d say, 'After you. Why retire? I have no one home.' I used to joke with him that he’s Pension Tier Zero."

Frank was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy Seabees, and saw heavy action in the Mediterranean and the invasion of southern France in 1944. He joined New York City Transit in 1970 after having worked for 20 years as a machinist in several shops, including for 15 years at a research and development company that built gyroscopes for the U.S. space program. “I worked on parts for the Titan II Missile system and for the first moon shot,” he recalled in an interview on his 90th birthday.

Once when asked about retirement, Frank said: “I’ve never thought about retiring. What would I do? I enjoy the work. I enjoy making things. I enjoy helping my co-workers. It keeps my mind occupied, my hands skillful. It keeps me going.”

On his beloved place of work at Coney Island, he said: “I’m glad I work there; glad I spend my time there. I’m part of a family.

MTA Announces Free Flu Shot (Seasonal Influenza) Locations

MTA/NYCT will be administering free flu shots to all active employees at locations across the five boroughs. Click here for locations.

Here is a new list of locations released on October 7th. Get it here.

Suspects in Manhattan Assault on Bus Operator Caught

The NYPD arrested a homeless couple and charged them with the Aug. 31 assault on a Bus Operator in Manhattan. The M2 Bus Operator was punched repeatedly in the face and suffered head, neck and back injuries. Police identified the suspects as Juan Ortiz, 35, and Shady Newton, 26.

“I want to thank the NYPD for identifying and arresting the individuals responsible for this sickening attack. Now the District Attorney, and the judges who get this case, have to do their job and give these two more than just a slap on the wrist.” Tony Utano, president of Transport Workers Union Local 100, said. “While we are grateful for the arrests, we strongly urge the NYPD to develop a plan to patrol and be a regular presence throughout the city for the safety of our Operators and riders.”

The Bus Operator did not kick the couple off the bus as was reported by some in the media. They couple got off at the last stop.

Here is what transpired:

The couple boarded the bus along the route and didn’t pay the fare. The Bus Operator reminded them that the fare had just been put back into effect and that riders have to pay. They ignored him and proceeded to the back of the bus. Another rider then complained to the couple about their farebeating. The couple threatened to beat up the rider, who then went up to the Bus Operator and expressed his fear of being harmed. As the bus was coming to the end of the route, the Bus Operator instructed the fearful rider to remain on board and let the couple exit. The Operator then drove around the corner to the lay-up. The couple followed the bus on foot. When the lone rider exited, the male assailant put his hand between the closing doors and prevented them from closing. The female then boarded the bus and punched the Bus Operator repeatedly in the face.

Maint. of Way Mourns Light Maintainer Delroy Durant, 35

Union Brothers and Sisters at the Infrastructure Capital Construction Shop at Queensboro Plaza are mourning the untimely passing of Brother Light Maintainer Delroy Durant. A tragic accident off the job took his life.

Rosario Parlanti, Division Vice Chair, described Durant, who worked nights, as "an outgoing kid, ambitious, who wanted to become a union rep." Durant, 35, had three and a half years on the job.

"The guys in the shop all say he was an all-around guy, easy to get along with, and pleasure to work with." He leaves his wife, Lana, and two children.

Arrangements will be posted as soon as we have them.

Cleaner Fayah Gbollie with Pres Utano and MOW VP John V. Chiarello

At Union Hall, Pres. Utano Honors Four with 9/11 Medal

SEPTEMBER 10 -- TWU Local 100 honors our 9/11 responders with recognition pins and medals. The pins are for all who responded, some ordered to do so by the MTA (they could have refused, citing safety, but no one did), and many who volunteered, working long hours on their own time. Over 3,000 were there from the first hours of the attack, clearing debris with heavy rigs to that FDNY and NYPD could access the scene, putting up lighting for responders, ferrying police, firefighters, and health care personnel to and from Ground Zero, accessing communications infrastructure, cutting iron and steel, and pumping out and draining the subway tunnels.

We honor our 9/11 responders who have fallen victim to health issues from their 9/11 service with the 9/11 medal. These are given to those members who have illnesses and injuries verified by the federal Victims Compensation Fund. Yesterday, we honored Hydraulic Maintainer (Ventilation and Drainage) Clairmont Arthur, CTA Fayah Gbollie, BusOperator Tommy McNally, and Bus eOperator Anthony Tousius. Track Maintainer Rafael Hernandez, now retired in Florida and unable to attend, was also honored.

In the photos: Bus Operators Tousius and McNally with Pres Utano, VP Chiarello, and former Ulmer Park Depot Chair James Manzella.

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Ventilation and Drainage Maintainer Clairmont Arthur, with his wife and Pres Utano.

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239th Street Shop Mourns Death of Co-Worker Billy Wright

SEPTEMBER 10 -- The Local 100 workforce at the 239th Street train yard in the Bronx is in mourning today with the tragic death of CED Cleaner Billy Wright. He was only 40 years old and was found unresponsive on the tracks at the yard by a co-worker. He appeared to have fallen and hit his head on the running rail, but the cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner.

The accident happened at about 5:00 a.m. Brother Wright worked the midnight shift at the yard. He had nearly four years on the job.

Co-worker and fellow Cleaner, Marjorie Stewart, worked with Brother Wright for the past three years and said that everyone at the shop “is in shock.”

“Billy was such a nice person, hard-working, respectful and quiet. He was well-liked by everyone. I cried when I found out what happened. This is devastating for everyone at the shop.”

Local 100 President Tony Utano said of Brother Wright’s death: “This is another gut punch for every transit worker. We are working closely with the authorities to determine what happened today.”

CED Vice President Shirley Martin said: “This is a very sad day for the entire workforce at 239th Street. We are reaching out to Brother Wright’s family and will assure them that the union will help them through this difficult time. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and co-workers. This has been a very difficult time for all transit workers. To lose another Brother member in this manner is truly heartbreaking.”

Pres. Utano advocating for mask enforcement before the NYS Legislature in August

Union Welcomes $50 Penalty for Not Wearing a Mask

SEPTEMBER 10 -- TWU Local 100 has been advocating for enforcement of the mask rule with fines for months – and that advocacy paid off Thursday. Gov. Cuomo announced Thursday that riders not wearing masks will face a $50 fine. Enforcement will be the responsibility of the NYPD, the MTA police, and MTA Bridge and Tunnel officers, the authority said.

“This is an important step towards making the bus and subway system safer, and we are grateful that the Governor heard us on this issue,” Local 100 President Tony Utano said. “This is good news for both transit workers and riders. Anyone who doesn’t wear a mask, or some other face covering, puts everyone at risk. We recognize that a fine could be hardship for some. You know what’s harder? Going to a funeral because someone didn’t wear a mask on a bus or train.”

A July survey by Local 100 found that on some bus routes only 60% of riders were wearing masks.

Mask enforcement was one of the items in Local 100’s 10-point Transit Plan for A Re-opened New York City. President Utano called for enforcement during his testimony before a joint hearing by the state Assembly and Senate. He also made the case in an Op-Ed published in the New York Daily News and multiple media interviews. “Just days after Labor Day, this development illustrates why unions and union advocacy matters,” Utano said.

Daily News Report: Structure Maintainer Saves Man Who Fell to Tracks at Jay St

A quick-thinking Structure Maintainer jumped to the tracks of a Brooklyn station Tuesday afternoon and saved a rider from certain death. The rider fell from a platform at the Jay St./MetroTech station and was lying unconsciously on the roadbed when Maintainer Roberto Ritcher came to his rescue at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Ritcher and another Good Samaritan managed to get the man – and themselves – back onto the platform just seconds before a Manhattan-bound A-train entered the station. “There’s no question that Roberto saved this man’s life,” Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Tony Utano said. “He’s a true TWU hero. He relied on his experience and training to prevent what would have been a horrible tragedy.”

Ritcher, 54, was sitting on a platform bench when he heard the sound of something hitting the ground behind him, followed by people screaming and shouting. “I turned around and I saw this guy lying on the tracks,” he said. “Everyone was freaking out. People were screaming but nobody was doing anything. I acted immediately. I jumped to the tracks and picked him up.”

The man was bleeding profusely from a head wound caused when he hit the roadbed. After Ritcher jumped to the tracks, a Good Samaritan also jumped to the roadbed to help lift the man to the platform, Ritcher said. Knowing full well dangers, Ritcher told the Good Samaritan to get back to the platform as quickly as possible. "Get your ass up there. Do it now," Ritcher said he told the “kid” in Spanish.

Paramedics arrived and whisked the injured man to the hospital. Ritcher’s shop is at 145th St. and St. Nicholas Ave. but a supervisor sent him to Brooklyn Tuesday morning to pick up mail from a NYC Transit building there. He was waiting for a train back to 145th St. when the accident happened. “He’s a good man,” Local 100 Structure Division Chair Richard Rocco said the 27-year transit veteran. “A good union man.”

A Daily News reporter happened to be on the platform at the time of the rescue and captured some of the drama on video. You can see it and read the full story here: https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-good-samartians-nyc-subway-track-fall-man-injured-20200908-gb6o5g6ynfbjbiqxkpjji6fj44-story.html

Utano Blasts MTA Threats of Cutbacks in New Radio Spots

Local 100 launched a new radio campaign against the MTA’s threats of layoffs and wage freezes, declaring the union will not reopen its contract and that transit workers “have sacrificed way too much” already.

The spot also calls on the MTA to stop paying out huge sums of money to consultants and contractors for work that can be done by the in-house workforce. Utano also calls for the reinstatement of the stock transfer tax “so Wall Street can pay its fair share.”

The 60-second spots began running after midnight on Labor Day. You can hear it here.

2^nd Spot Reminds Riders to Wear a Mask
A second 15-second spot reminds New Yorkers to wear a mask when riding the buses and trains. You can hear that one here.