January 28, 2011 – TWU Local 100 Founder Michael J. Quill died 45 years ago today, following his incarceration in jail during the January, 1966 New York City transit strike. The strike was successful, overturning the draconian Condon-Wadlin Act, which mandated firing for all strikers, and resulting in significant pay increases for transit workers. Quill served for 33 years as TWU’s leader, beginning with his 1934 effort to organize an industrial union in the city’s transit system, after repeated failures in earlier craft union tries.
Click on the tab to watch our video on the dramatic and inspiring story of Quill’s rise from change booth workers to International President.