Big Show of Support for Assaulted Train Operator

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2022 -- Nearly 100 union members packed a Brooklyn courtroom this morning as an investment banker charged with punching Train Operator Tanya McCray in the face multiple times was arraigned. It was standing-room only in the courtroom as defendant Jean-Francois Coste, hiding his face behind a surgical mask, entered a not-guilty plea on felony assault charges.

Transport Workers Union Local 100’s strong show of support brought tears to McCray’s eyes.  “I just want to thank all my union co-workers for being out here and supporting me,” McCray said after the court hearing. “The love has been overwhelming. I’m overwhelmed from the joy of my co-workers supporting me.”

RTO Vice President Canella Gomez called on Brooklyn prosecutors to throw the book at Coste, who was arrested by police shortly after the Dec. 16 attack in the Stillwell Ave. terminal station in Coney Island.

“It’s important to set an example with this guy, to let city know, and the public know, it’s not okay to assault transit workers,” Gomez said.

McCray, 56, was exiting the crew room at about 12:15 a.m. when a reportedly intoxicated Coste approached her on the mezzanine. She shut the door so he could not enter the non-public area. Coste, 53, then started punching McCray without saying a word.

McCray’s many union supporters at the courthouse included Station Agent Noreen Mallory. Instead of heading home at 8 a.m. when her shift at a Manhattan Station ended, Mallory came to the court hearing. 

“Transit workers are always experiencing all types of abuse, and I just thought this was so out of the box, and so terrible, that you have to come out and show support for her (Tanya),” Mallory said. “He should suffer the consequences. It was a crime.”

Tower Operator Williams was one of the many RTO members in attendance.  "I heard about this on the Union's website, and I had to show up, because I know this Train Operator,” Williams said. “I've worked with her. I want to make sure that justice is being served, because we can't have us being assaulted out there, and no one's here to get our back. We need our co-workers to know that we have our own back if nobody else does."

The judge in the case set the next court hearing for Tuesday, April 11th at 9AM.