A Message from TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano

APRIL 4 -- The MTA today will begin distributing N95 masks to TWU Local 100 members in the field. While we all recognize there was a global shortage, and we all wanted this safety equipment to come sooner, this is a very good development.

From the very beginning, the Transport Workers Union has had to compel the MTA to take some important safety-related actions, or had to push them to act with greater urgency.
This has happened in a number of areas, including the suspension of finger scanning in the Kronos system, the right to wear masks, reduced crowding in crew rooms, the distribution of masks, stopping most cash transactions in Station Agent booths, and rear-door boarding. I want to thank all the Local 100 officers and union reps for all your hard work on behalf of the members.

Today, I will be issuing this statement to the media regarding the distribution of N95 masks:  “This is great news for our Bus Operators, Train Operators, Train Conductors and all the other Local 100 members who are keeping the buses and trains moving. They are true blue-collar heroes.”