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Councilman Brad Lander Scores DeBlasio Administration for Flawed RFP on Bike Expansion

JUNE 13 -- At City Hall, TWU Local 100 members including Citibike workers joined Councilman Brad Lander to urge the DeBlasio Administration to re-think their RFP for bikeshare expansion. The Councilman put forward three tests which the RFP must meet. Also speaking were Citibike worker Roberto Jeanniton and Nick Bedelll, the TWU's Director of Strategic Campaigns.

Local 208 Scores Win v Driverless Buses

Utano Testifies at Columbus City Council Hearing

IB Image JUNE 11 -- TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano brought a delegation of Local 100 union officers to Columbus, Ohio to fight a move to put driverless tech on city buses. Our gesture of solidarity was to support TWU Local 208, which is fighting the possible introduction of robot drivers on public routes.

“Technology can be used to make public buses – already an extremely safe mode of travel – even safer,” he told the Council. “But there are critical safety gaps that only a human bus operator can fill – no matter how advanced technology becomes.”

Utano said robotic proximity sensors and automatic braking systems have their place in the buses of the future, but that in case of situations like a medical emergency, lost child, or frail elderly person they wouldn’t be able to help. “What if communication systems are knocked out or there is a computer glitch,” he asked. “Will an empty seat know not to drive down a street full of fire and smoke?”

"The TWU is not against technological advances," TWU Local 208 President Andrew Jordan said. "TWU believes technology is a tool that can help make public transit -- already incredibly safe -- even safer, but it shouldn't be used to eliminate these vital jobs."

Utano was joined by officers from both TA Surface and MaBSTOA, including TAS VP JP Patafio, OA Maintenance Director Tom Lenane, and Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp.

The trip to Columbus was part of a full-court press by the TWU International to stand against the possible loss of Bus Operator jobs to driverless tech. Union members wearing message t-shirts packed the hearing room, and in the end the Columbus City Council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution expressing the sense of the TWU’s objections, which is to embrace new tech for its safety value while also preserving the crucial human element in the driver’s seat.

“There are a million reasons why the presence of bus operators is so important,” TWU International President John Samuelsen told the Council. “There will be significant and unacceptable safety and security gaps if you take Bus Operators off buses.”

TWU Parties at Puerto Rican Day Parade -- and Sends a Message

Over three hundred transit workers brought activism and excitement to the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade, marching proudly up 5th Avenue. Led by the Local 100/MTA Ceremonial Honor Guard, we paraded in bright t-shirts -- Bus Operators, Conductors, Cleaners, Mechanics, Train Operators, Track and Signal Workers, and numerous other titles. Some pushed strollers and brought their entire families. Attending were President Tony Utano and Administrative VP Nelson Rivera, as well as Vice Presidents Joe Costales, Derrick Echevarria, Richie Davis, and Pete Rosconi. President Tony Utano and Administrative VP Rivera marched earlier in the day with New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. Later, the TWU contingent turned on to 5th Avenue with a float with a DJ that enlivened the enthusiastic crowd, and a City bus. The New York Times covered our entry, noting that the float told a story of sadness and anger: "4,645: TWU Local 100 mourns the heartbreaking loss of life from Hurricane Maria! Message to President Trump! Puerto Rico's recovery has just begun!"

Tony Utano Discusses Assaults on Labor Press Radio's "Blue Collar Buzz"

SUNDAY, JUNE 10 -- TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano went on labor press's radio show, "Blue Collar Buzz" over the weekend to talk about the continuing issue of assaults on transit workers -- mainly Bus Operators, Conductors, and Train Operators -- who are the face of the MTA to a public increasingly angry over schedule changes and delays due to system upgrades. Even though the Subway Action Plan will result in improved service, many New Yorkers appear to be taking out their frustration on the MTA employees they see on their every day commutes. President Utano addresses the issue on the show. He is also convening ongoing meetings with public officials including Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez. Hear the show here:

50 Students Win M3/TWU Scholarships worth $66,000

THURSDAY, JUNE 7 -- For the seventh year in a row, M3 Technology, which provides voluntary insurance coverage to TWU Local 100 members, has supported a scholarship program that helps college students with their expenses. The bulk are the sons and daughters of TWU members, although a few are TWU members themselves. A festive lunch was held for the winners at the Union Hall, with President Tony Utano congratulating the 50 awardees and their beaming parents. As each winner was introduced, their parents also came up for a photograph along with the Vice President from their respective TWU department. Four students won $5,000 scholarships, while the others won $1,000. Each scholarship is for the current academic year, and every eligible student or members can apply each year. President Utano urged the scholarship winners to respect and honor their parents and "never forget where you came from." Also congratulating the winners was John Pescitelli, of M3 Technology, who said that he would increase the amounts given to scholarship winners in the next go-round. Enjoy the slide show of the happy winners and their families!

At Third Rail Pick, two Number One's

IB Image Local 100 President Tony Utano, who is number one in the seniority list for Power Maintainers, visited the 38th Street Yard in Brooklyn, where he had picked work locations for years. The visit was a chance to reconnect with fellow MOW members, including Harold Calhoun (pictured talking with President Utano), who is number one in seniority for Third Rail Maintainers. With Tony were MOW VP John V. Chiarello and Power Division Chair Steve Higgins. Section Chair Tommy Creegan was also on hand for the pick. IB Image

TWU Friend is the New Prime Minister of Barbados

Mia Mottley, the newly elected Prime Minister of Barbados, is a close personal friend of TWU Local 100 Secretary Treasurer Earl Phillips, who was born and raised in this island paradise. Prime Minister Mottley has, in fact, visited the TWU Local 100 union hall in Brooklyn on two occasions. TWU’s Phillips, who admits “staying up all night waiting for the election results to come in” said he is thrilled with Mottley’s victory.

In a congratulatory letter to the new Prime Minister, Phillips stated: “On behalf of the 44,000 members of the Transport Workers Union Local 100, many of whom trace their ancestry to our beautiful country of Barbados, I wish to congratulate you and the Barbados Labour Party on its sweeping victory in the national elections on May 24, 2018.

“The people of Barbados have given you a tremendous mandate to govern. The vote demonstrates their deep belief in your ability to uplift our economy and deal with pressing infrastructure issues. Back here in New York, we are proud that you are blazing a trail as the first woman Prime Minister of our country. And we are equally proud and confident that you will lead Barbados into a new era of economic and political prosperity.”

Phillips said he has invited Prime Minister Mottley “back to TWU Local 100” on her next visit to the U.S. As her first act as Prime Minister, Mottley announced an emergency plan to deal with the country’s debt.

We Endorse Marisol Alcantara for Re-Election to the State Senate

JUNE 1 – TWU Local 100 officers and rank and file at the Kingsbridge Bus Depot in Upper Manhattan proudly endorsed State Senator Marisol Alcantara (D-Washington Heights/Inwood) for re-election to her State Senate seat. Surrounded by Bus Operators, TWU Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips spoke in support of Senator Alcántara’s union work and her determination to protect workers’ rights of workers. The union had previously endorsed Ms. Alcantara before she won the seat vacated by Adriano Espaillat in 2016.

A former organizer for the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), she has distinguished herself in the State Senate as a worker’s and union advocate, fighting wage theft and supporting better workers’ compensation benefits. She supported all of Local 100’s legislative priorities, including sponsoring a bill that would reduce Tier 6 member contributions to the level of Tier 4.

“The 43,000 members of TWU Local 100 are proud to endorse Senator Marisol Alcantara’s re-election,” said Local 100 President Tony Utano. “She is a champion of of trade unionism and is one of the most outspoken supporters of workers’ rights in the State Senate.”

Senator Alcantara said: “It’s an honor to be endorsed by Transport Workers Union Local 100. These workers maintain our buses and trains, and make our city run, and I couldn’t be more grateful for what they do and to receive their support. Throughout my career and as a New York State Senator, I have fought hard to protect workers' wages, benefits, job conditions and the right to join an union. Together we will continue to raise our voices on behalf of workers' rights and all New Yorkers. I am proud to stand with TWU during my re-election campaign. Together we Progress!”

Zachary Arcidiacono is Sworn In as Train Operators Division Chair

MAY 30 – The Local 100 Executive Board today elevated Zachary Arcidiacono, formerly Vice Chair of B Division (Train Operators) to Division Chair. He was sworn in by President Tony Utano after a vote of 38 in favor and 2 abstaining.

After taking the TWU oath of office, Brother Arcidiacono said: “I would like to thank the Train Operators in RTO for their vote of confidence. I am taking this post to move forward, whatever our differences and in defense of our common interests and to provide administrative continuity. To the extent that there is a gap between RTO and the central leadership, I will endeavor to close that gap, on the basis of mutual respect, and to do my best to fill the shoes of those who came before me.”

TWU Mourns Passing of Political Friend, Herman “Denny” Farrell

TWU Local 100 mourns the passing of retired Assemblyman Herman “Denny” Farrell, 86, who devoted a remarkable political career to fighting for fairness in housing, jobs and access to credit and home loans for average New Yorkers.

Local 100 President Tony Utano said that Farrell’s death “is a sad day for all New Yorkers, especially New York’s working class and working poor who looked to him for leadership on a host of issues in Albany.”

“Assemblyman Farrell was a true friend of working families, and he was a tower of integrity and honesty in politics. He will be greatly missed.”

Herman D. Farrell Jr., a Fixture of New York Politics, Dies at 86

Herman D. Farrell Jr., a perennial New York State Democratic assemblyman from Manhattan and one of the last survivors of Harlem's political Old Guard, died on Saturday in a Manhattan hospital. He was 86. The cause was heart failure, his son, Herman D. Farrell III, said.