Mike Quill Passed the Torch to Us

JANUARY 28 – TWU Founder Mike Quill died 59 years ago today. He was only 60 years old.

He had his first heart attack in the Civil Jail on West 37th Street, after being arrested by detectives while leading TWU negotiations at the Americana Hotel -- because he refused to end the strike he called on New Year’s Day, 1966. 12 days later the strike was won by the TWU and Quill was released from custody. He suffered a second heart attack on January 28th, 1966, this time fatal. His physician said that Quill died from overwork, and transit workers knew that he gave his life for the cause of labor.

Quill’s willingness to fight inspired generations of transit workers, creating the good careers in transit that we know today. Transit workers celebrated after the first union contract, reached in 1937, gave them paid vacations for the first time.

From that time to the present, TWU union leaders have continued to fight and make big gains – including the 40-hour work week (achieved with no loss of pay from the old 48-hour week), overtime, defined benefit pensions, vacation time and health benefits equal or better to those held by any other union. We have been guided by what Quill often said: “You will get only what you are strong enough to take. You will have to fight for your rights—they will never be given to you. And you cannot win if you fight alone.” International President John Samuelsen often echoed those words, saying that if you don’t fight – you never win – but if you do fight you have a chance of victory.

Interim Local 100 President John V. Chiarello said, "Just think of the hundreds of thousands of men and women in transit who have found their way into a better life for themselves and their families thanks to Mike Quill and the other brave pioneers who founded this Union. It's a legacy we intend to build on as we go forward."

Quill also said, “Most of my life I’ve been called a lunatic because I believe that I am my brother’s keeper. I organize poor and exploited workers. I fight for the civil rights of minorities, and I believe in peace…I want a world free of war, poverty and disease. This is my religion.” Quill was proud to host the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the TWU’s 1961 convention, where he was acknowledged as one of the labor leaders who contributed resources to Dr. King’s organization.

As the TWU begins its 91st year of delivering gains for transit workers, Quill’s words remain our north star. We call on all union members to pause and consider his legacy.