Union Asks FL Retirees to Get Involved in Transit Funding, Hazard Pay Fight

 
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AUGUST 3 -- The union is looking to harness the power of our Florida retirees to show Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott the wisdom of voting in favor of government support for mass transit and for hazard pay for frontline workers, including our members.
 
Our 3,000 TWU Local 100 retirees in the Sunshine State are a powerful political force -- because they are solid citizens and they vote. New York's two Senators -- Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand -- are already on board, but what we need are a few "red state" Senators to join them. 
 
 
A letter jointly signed by TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano and Retiree Association Director Mike Tutrone puts the issue plainly: 
 
"The pandemic has decimated the finances of mass transit authorities in New York, Florida, and all across the United States. Ridership dropped more than 90%. Tax revenues have dried up. The agencies calculated they need $32 billion in federal assistance or there will be waves of layoffs, furloughs and service cuts. All of this hurts America’s working families. (The MTA is asking for $3.9 billion to get through the remainder of this year.)
 
"Essential workers like TWU Local 100 bus and subway workers, who continue to work despite the risks to their health, also should be recognized with hazard pay. It’s the least we can do for our heroes who have ensured doctors, nurses, first responders, food industry workers and others who are so vital to the fight against COVID-19 could get to their jobs.
 
"Here’s what we are asking. Send an email, or call, Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott. Please, tell Sen. Rubio and Sen. Scott as a Floridian you support the $32 billion in transit funding and hazard pay for our essential worker heroes in Florida and all over America. They kept the lights on, the food shelves stocked and trains and buses moving." 
 
Read the complete letter here.