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Russian Day Celebrated in Brighton Beach

OCTOBER 6 -- Russian-American transit workers crowded Tatiana's Restaurant on the Brighton Beach boardwalk in an exuberant celebration with plenty of food, drink, and entertainment. President Utano and top leadership including Admin VP Nelson Rivera and CED VP Shirley Martin -- whose department has hundreds of Russian-American workers -- RTO VP Eric Loegel, MOW VP John V. Chiarello, and TAS VP JP Patafio. Political leaders who attended included Assemblymembers Mathylde Frontus, Steven Cymbrowitz, and Peter Abbate. Also on hand were Councilmember Mark Treyger, who pledged to stand with the TWU in our contract fight, and Ari Kagan, representing City Comptroller Scott Stringer. To see all the photos, just click on the handles to the right and left.

Union Expands Contract Campaign to ESPN Radio

Local 100 began running 60-second spots on ESPN radio, 98.7 FM on October 3rd, blasting the MTA for its do-nothing attitude toward worker assaults; its plans to cut jobs and service, and its bloated outside consultants spending. The spot also urges transit workers to turn out for the union's October 30th rally outside 2 Broadway at 5:00pm. The spots are running throughout the day on all ESPN's popular shows, including Golic & Wingo; Chris Canty and Rick DiPietro; the Stephen A. Smith Show, and the Michael Kay show. Here is an aircheck of the spot from yesterday. The union's media campaign also includes spots on 1010 WINS, 880 CBS, WBLS, and cable news television stations.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Kicks Off at Union Hall

OCTOBER 1 -- Local 100 Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp wore a bright pink ensemble to welcome union officers and rank and file members to our kickoff event for breast cancer awareness month. Our fund drive, organized by Bronx Bus Operator Tonya Thompson, is now in full gear and members are invited to donate and walk for the American Cancer Society on October 20th in Orchard Beach, the Bronx. The annual event raises awareness and funds for breast cancer patients in the New York area, including free or reduced accommodations for families whose loved ones are facing cancer treatment. President Tony Utano welcomed American Cancer Society Community Development Manager Nitisha Moore and Senior Manager of Community Development Robert Fox to the union's kickoff. Administrative Vice President Nelson Rivera, who is battling lung cancer, shared at the event, as did President Utano, whose mother suffered from breast cancer. For more information, go to the union's page for donations here.

Lemon Wins Train Operator Election

SEPTEMBER 30 -- In an election conducted to fill the vacancy for Vice Chair of Train Operators in A Division, Curtis Lemon bested two challengers to win with 100 votes. Lemon, a Train Operator for more than ten years, has been a Shop Steward and also served on the Local 100 Executive Board from 2016 to 2018. Brother Lemon takes on the duties formerly performed by Leonard Goody, who took a promotion to a supervisory title. Congratulations Curtis!

14th Indian Day Brings Hundreds to Celebrate in Queens

SEPTEMBER 28 -- Union members packed the IBEW hall in Queens to celebrate their Indian-American heritage for the 14th consecutive TWU Local 100 Indian Day. Honorees included State Senators Kevin Thomas, New York's first Indian-born Senator, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, and Councilman Donovan Richards. President Tony Utano began the event by paying tribute to our Indian-American transit workers, and urging everyone to attend the union's critical contract rally on October 30th at 2 Broadway. He also singled out Admin VP Nelson Rivera for special recognition. Entertainment was provided by Neel & Neeta, with Bollywood dance numbers by Anil Diwakar, DPA Events and Entertainment. Great food was provided by Sitar Palace. The event was organized by our Indian Day Committee under the leadership of Executive Board Member Sam Ponnolil. Enjoy the slides of the event -- just click on the handles to advance the show.

1st VoTech Apprentice Class Graduates

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The first class of 25 apprentices, selected from New York City Vocational Technical Schools in 2016, has graduated after a three-year program of on-the-job learning with Local 100 veterans. The happy grads are now working in Maintainer Titles in Elevator & Escalator, Lighting, Signals ,and Hydraulic. Photo shows the grads holding their certificates. Local 100 President Tony Utano, Vice Presidents John Chiarello and Eric Loegel and Division Chairs Duvet Williams (LE/S) and Steve Higgins (Power) were on hand to wish the grads well in their new transit careers.

Local 100 Celebrates at the African American Day Parade

SEPTEMBER 15 -- A hundred transit workers and family members marched proudly through Harlem on a beautiful summer's day at the annual African-American Day Parade. Leading the Parade were top officers including President Tony Utano, Administrative VP Nelson Rivera, and Vice Presidents John V. Chiarello, Shirley Martin, and Lynwood Whichard. Our very own Sharase Debouse of our Political Action Department, who is a District Leader in her own right, lit up the parade as a Marshal. Click on the handles to see all of the images and videos.

New Radio Spot Attacks MTA Giveback Demands

Local 100 launched a radio campaign today on 1010 WINS that excoriates the MTA's giveback demands, and declares "Now it's time to for the MTA to hear our voices" as it promotes the union's planned contract rally on Oct. 30, 2019. Click on the graphic above or listen to the spot here.

Beware of Counterfeit Contract Flier

TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano issued the following statement after a counterfeit contract rally flier appeared on social media:

“Someone took an official TWU flier and doctored it by changing the date and time of the rally, and then circulated it on social media. This phony flier should be ignored. Those who are perpetrating this hoax are in violation of the TWU Local 100 By-Laws for misappropriation of the union logo.

"The reason for this intentional deception is to confuse the membership and undermine the union’s efforts to win a fair contract for transit workers. October 30th is the official TWU Local 100 contract rally at 5:00 pm outside 2 Broadway. This is the only rally sponsored and supported by the union."

Click here for the official contract rally flyer. “We will see you at the official TWU contract rally on Oct. 30, 2019.”

Utano Slams Foye in Wake of Rising Assaults

In an interview on 1010 WINS, Local 100 President Tony Utano slams MTA Chairman Pat Foye for being out of touch with the rank and file transit worker. Listen to the clip.