Samuelsen Mourns on 6th Anniversary of Track Worker Marvin Franklin’s Passing

TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen spoke at the sixth anniversary of the death of Track Worker Marvin Franklin, who died at the age of 55 after being struck by a G train which came through the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station, and struck two transit workers, one of whom survived. President Samuelsen talked about the many deaths the transit system has seen over the years, some 20 over the past 20 years. Samuelsen spoke of when he and LES Chairman John Chairello carried Franklin’s body to street level, with tears in their eyes. He said that the toll of lives due to accidents would be “astronomically higher but for the diligence of the union.” He pledged that TWU Local 100 would “continue with unannounced and scheduled safety inspections” at all facilities, and “a pro-active safety plan to stop the company from putting our members in harm’s way.” He urged TWU Local 100 members and others to contribute to the Union’s Widows and Orphans Fund.