Union Briefs Media on Conductor Slashing; Calls for Deployment of MTA Police
FEBRUARY 29 – At a press conference today on the site of a brutal stabbing which came close to costing the life of a New York City Transit Conductor, TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis demanded more uniformed presence from the MTA Police to provide safety for the transit workforce.
Early this morning, Conductor Alton Scott was slashed in his throat while operating in his cab. The injury was potentially life-threatening, requiring 34 stitches at Brookdale hospital.
The union believes that police need to be specifically positioned in front of Conductor cabs to safeguard train crews. After an earlier surge in subway crime, police presence was reduced due to funding that expired. Mayor Adams has recently increased police availability in the system by moving to 12-hour shifts.
The Union pointed out that the MTA’s own police force is available to provide additional security.
After the 3:40 AM incident, RTO Vice President Canella Gomez initiated a contract provision known as the Safety Dispute Resolution Process, which was negotiated by TWU Local 100 as part of our 2002 contract. It mandates a process to be followed in the event of an imminent safety hazard. Once that is invoked, work is held in abeyance pending a response from management. Meanwhile, the assailant remained at large in the transit system.
President Davis said, “There was no union-issued slowdown. We are allowed to initiate safety procedures on behalf of our members.”
“An attempted murder was committed this morning, not just a slashing. We are confident that the NYPD will catch this assailant. But MTA Chairman Janno Lieber has his own police force that can be re-assigned in the subway system to protect Conductors and Station Agents. Right now that can be done.”
“When I saw the picture [of Alton Scott] this morning, my heart dropped. I had tears in my eyes. There was no way for him to control what happened, as he was pulling out of the station. We need more to be done by everyone – the MTA has to do their part to protect our members from workplace violence.”