Union Launches Local 100 Rewards Program, Page 11

32 Pages·2013·4.94 MB·English

Union Launches Local 100 Rewards Program, Page 11
as i Was Saying
John SamUeLSen, PReSident
“The gimme, gimme, gimme” nonsense!
, - ,
former mta boss joseph lhota the current republican front runner for mayor was asked in a
ny1 news debate with other Republican candidates how he expected to negotiate contracts with
every uniformed and non-uniformed City union when he couldn’t come to agreement on one
contract, with us, during his tenure with the MTA.
His answer provided a clear window into how he and Consider the alternative should Joseph Lhota get elected
the other Joe Lhota’s and Michael Bloomberg’s of the world Mayor.
feel about us and other public sector workers. At least Thompson gets it. He understands the plight of
Lhota said that our position was “gimme, gimme, working families. He will be in our corner trying to do the right
gimme,” and that we were unwilling to consider his de- thing, trying to make things happen for us. That’s all we can
mands for massive concessions. “All they want is the raise, ask.
and keep everything else the same,” said Lhota. “To negoti-
Bus Assaults
ate you need two willing parties. The TWU is not ready.”
This summer has been tough on our Bus Operators.
He was right about one thing. We are not ready to cave
The ridiculous number of assaults, including verbal, phys-
in to a contract with the kind of massive “gimme, gimme,
ical and spitting, seem endless, and the justice system con-
gimme” concessions Lhota wanted, (and what the MTA
tinues to fail us. The most recent disappointment was in
presumably still wants) which include deep health care
Bronx Criminal Court, where a violent perp got nothing
cuts, three years of zeroes, and more.
but 5 years probation for a vicious, unprovoked attack on
Our position really hasn’t changed since we began this
Bus Operator Jose Rondon last year. We strongly advocat-
process in late 2011. We are proposing modest cost-of-liv-
ed jail time with the Bronx DA’s office, at least a two-year
ing increases and an improved dental plan. For people like
stretch, but once again a bad guy did the crime against a
Lhota and Bloomberg, the steep rise in essentials like food,
Bus Operator but not the time.
gasoline, insurance and rent means nothing. But to transit
This sends a terrible message to those criminals who would
workers, who despite a decent contract are for the most
use transit workers as punching bags – go ahead do it, there are
part living precariously on the edge of middle class, these
no consequences.
cost hikes hurt.
The answers are not difficult or elu-
Our position is far from Lhota’s “gimme” description.
sive. We need shields on every bus (even
It is an effort just to keep our heads above water. To us it’s
though they are not fool-proof), more
simply status quo.
police in uniform and in plain clothes on
Why Bill Thompson the buses, and off-board fare collection.
Earlier this summer, the Local 100 Executive Board vot- Finally, we need a justice system that will
ed overwhelmingly to endorse Bill Thompson for Mayor. treat an assault on a Bus Operator the
It was a difficult choice. Other candidates, especially John same as if it were an assault on a
Liu and Bill de Blasio, have been tremendous support- cop or a politician. We will
ers of ours for quite some time. But the Board made the not rest until we have
right choice, and we intend to do whatever we can to help put assaults in the rear
Thompson get past the primary and into Gracie Mansion. view mirror.
2 TWU Local 100 • Bulletin
transport Workers Union
of Greater new York, Local 100
1700 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.twulocal100.org
John Samuelsen
President
Earl Phillips
Secretary-Treasurer
Latonya Crisp-Sauray
Recording Secretary
Angel Giboyeaux
5
Administrative Vice President

Vice PReSidentS
Brian Clarke, MABSTOA Fight to Restore Service
John Day, MTA Bus, PBL
Kevin Harrington, RTO The handicapped community is part of a strong coalition
Maurice Jenkins, Stations
led by Local 100 demanding that the MTA restore service
JP Patafio, TA Surface
Nelson Rivera, CED that was slashed in 2010.
Tony Utano, MOW
5
execUtiVe BoaRd 12-13
TA Surface
Shawn Graves
Johnnie “Jay” Joyner Bus Op Assaults Continue
Amin Khan
The summer of 2013 has been a bad one for Local 100 Bus
Willie Rivera
Tracy Wilkes Operators, as serious assaults – including a vicious slashing
Car Equipment
in the Bronx – appear on the rise.
Eugene Bleynis
Adelina Carson-Leath
16-19
Grigory Dunichev
Jolly Eapen
RTO Family Day Draws 6,000
Terry Adams
Zachary Arcidiancono Local 100’s Family Day 2013 at Coney Island proved to be
Janice Carter
a big success with thousands of transit workers turning out
Steve Downs
Michelle Figueroa for the free food, fun and games.
James Scott
Stations 12-13
Tareque Ahmed
Vanessa Jones 30 Days Has September…
Robert Kelly
Paul Piazza
Markeith Woolford Yep, we messed up. The “September” page in the
MOW 2013 Local 100 calendar has, well, uh, 31 days. Not
Sherlock Bender
Edwin Benjamin good. So we’re trying to right that wrong by printing
John Chiarello a corrected “September” on page 24 of this edition.
Mario Galvet
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communications department official Publication of the transport Workers Union Front Page Photo
transport Workers Bulletin of Greater new York, Local 100, aFL-cio Alan Saly
Director Contributing Editors Published quarterly by the Transport Workers Union, Local 100, AFL-CIO
James Gannon David Katzman, 1700 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
Daniel Tasripin
Director of Postmaster: Send address changes to: Transport Workers Union, Local 100,
Publications 1700 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
Alan Saly
An Easy Way to Pay
VOLUNTARY AUTHORIZATION FOR PAYROLL DEDUCTION OF BACK DUES
Back-Dues, And Restore
For Transport Workers Union of America, Local 100, AFL-CIO
I, (name) ,hereby acknowledge that I have been notified that I am in arrears on my dues
Goboligatioon in thed amou nt oSf $ t a n d due ito TnWU, Logcal 10 0. (MCall 212-87e3-6000m ext. 2083 tbo find oeut howr mucsh youh owe.) ip
I hereby request and authorize my Employer, the New York City Transit Authority, or the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating
Authority, or MTA Bus Company (hereinafter “Employer”) deduct from my wages, in each payroll period, an additional dues deduction
equal to my regular dues deduction, for the purpose of paying arrears in my dues obligation to the Transport Workers Union Local 100
(hereinafter “Union”). The deduction which pays the final balance on an arrearage may be for an amount less than a
twu fulllo recgualalr d1u0e0s dmedeucmtiobne, srhso uwld ah loes searr deed uicntio nd bue essuf fiacirenrt etoa prays suncoh bwal ahncae,v aen d asu ch addiTtioankainl dge dau csttiaonnsd s hinal l tcheea sset ruenelets, so n the
simpI lhea vea andddit iorneall aartreiavreagleys . painless way to restore good standing airwaves, and in court all costs money.
In signing this request and authorization, and for good and valuable consideration for the Employer making such deductions, I HEREBY
memWbAIeVrEs ahnyip rig. hBt I ym afiy lhlaivne gno wo our tin ath ef ofurtumre t ol mikakee tahnye c laoimn aeg asinhsot twhe nEm oplnoy etr hanids/ or itBs raignegnitsn gfo r beaitchker aanlly dbeaddu-cstitoannsd minadge mem-
or any failure to make any additional deductions from my wages. bers will help provide needed financial
pageI a(cwknhowiclehdg ei sth ant oI mway b reevionkeg th cisa arutrhioerizda tiionn tfoor atdhdietio nfiael dldue sb dyed uucntioinos nby rseenpdrineg -a written request to cease such deductions to
resources for these campaigns as well.
the Union President and/or the Secretary-Treasurer. Such authorization shall be terminated within 60 days from receipt of such revocation
sentatives and your elected officers) the MTA will begin double
by the Union President and/or Secretary-Treasurer. If you know a co-worker or co-
dues deductions each check until you are paid off.
workers who owe dues, urge them to
Date: Badge No. or Pass: SSN
A bad-standing member may also members, not only those who remain come back into full membership for the
Division or Department :
cut out the form here or download it in bad standing. The Local is in a fight good of all Local 100 members.

from Ptrhinet Nuanmieo: n website, www.twulo- to hold the line against contract con- They can call the union hall at 212-
cal100.org, and fax it to the number cessions and achieve retroactive pay. 873-6000, extension 2083, to find out
Address:
shown on t he form. We are stronger as a union when all how much is owed. Local 100 will be a
ReSsitgonraitunrge : goo d stan ding mem- mem bers ar e in go od standing, and strGoivneg toe ra uUnnioionn R ewprietshe neavtievrey oor ne standing
Sign in Ink Only Fax to Secretary Treasurer Earl Phillips at
212-245-4101
bership is especially important to all part of the fight. strong, united and in good standing.
VOLUNTARY AUTHORIZATION FOR PAYROLL DEDUCTION OF BACK DUES
For Transport Workers Union of America, Local 100, AFL-CIO
I, (name) ,hereby acknowledge that I have been notified that I am in arrears on my dues
obligation in the amount of $ due to TWU, Local 100. (Call 212-873-6000 ext. 2083 to find out how much you owe.)
I hereby request and authorize my Employer, the New York City Transit Authority, or the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating
Authority, or MTA Bus Company (hereinafter “Employer”) deduct from my wages, in each payroll period, an additional dues deduction
equal to my regular dues deduction, for the purpose of paying arrears in my dues obligation to the Transport Workers Union Local 100
(hereinafter “Union”). The deduction which pays the final balance on an arrearage may be for an amount less than a
full regular dues deduction, should a lesser deduction be sufficient to pay such balance, and such additional deductions shall cease unless
I have additional arrearages.
In signing this request and authorization, and for good and valuable consideration for the Employer making such deductions, I HEREBY
WAIVE any right I may have now or in the future to make any claim against the Employer and/or its agents for either any deductions made
or any failure to make any additional deductions from my wages.
I acknowledge that I may revoke this authorization for additional dues deductions by sending a written request to cease such deductions to
the Union President and/or the Secretary-Treasurer. Such authorization shall be terminated within 60 days from receipt of such revocation
by the Union President and/or Secretary-Treasurer.
Date: Badge No. or Pass: SSN

Division or Department :

Print Name:
Address:

Signature: Give to a Union Represenative or
Sign in Ink Only Fax to Secretary Treasurer Earl Phillips at
212-245-4101
4 TWU Local 100 • Bulletin
Push Service Restoration
in Bronx, Brooklyn

the union is flexing its muscle along with
powerful community allies to get service
restored from one end of the city to the
other – specifically, at Co-op City in the
Bronx and along Third Avenue in Brooklyn.
Both pushes are tri-partite projects, with Local 100 President John Samu-
elsen joins activists at the B37
real support from community groups and restoration rally in Brooklyn.
politicians with clout, in addition to TWU
City Councilman Andy
Local 100. King, right, with from left:
Recording Secretary Latonya
How much clout? Co-Op City has 55,000 residents. Crisp-Sauray, PAC Director
Marvin Holland, and PAC
It’s so big it has its own zip code. And most of those resi-
staffer Michele Gilliam
dents are seniors – and they vote. The Union’s first meet- were on hand at Co-Op
ing there to restore the Bx26 and the Bx28 brought out City meeting.
400 residents to the morning session and 300 to the eve-
ning session – as well as one Mayoral candidate and local
politicians.
Likewise, the alliance that turned out to urge the
MTA to restore the B37 – which runs down Brooklyn’s
Third Avenue – had its share of movers and shakers.
Organized by Lutheran Hospital, Sunset Park’s eco- Administrative Vice
President Angel Giboyeaux
nomic powerhouse along with community group UP-
(2nd from left) spoke for
ROSE, the June 15 event brought out the local Member the union at Co-Op City.
of Congress, nydia Velasquez, as well as two Mayoral
candidates and the complete local line-up of pols, from
Above, Congress-
Council to State Assembly to State Senate. The disabled
woman Nydia
were out as well. They are especially suffering because Velasquez helps
in B37 project.
the R train that runs on Fourth Avenue has no elevators
for accessibility. TWU Local 100 President John Samu- Left, Co-Op
City Seniors
elsen talked about the value of coalition building. nei-
want their
ther the community nor the union alone can prevail on service
back.
service restorations, he said, affirming that a true part-
nership is the only recipe for success.
Ever since the MTA announced on March 26 that tax
revenues were producing more money than expected –
a surplus of $40 million – advocates and politicians
have been grabbing for the money. Local 100 thinks
service restorations – along with worker raises – is
TWU’s endorsed Mayoral candidate
the way to go. In a way, they go hand in hand, be- Bill Thompson was on hand, with
from the right: PAC Director Marvin
cause more service equals more work.
Holland, TAS transportation Vice
Chair Louis Marrero, Vice President
JP Patafio, Chair Willie Rivera and
daughter, Jessica. TWU Local 100 • Bulletin 55
Candidate Bill Thompson and
other endorsed candidates join
Local 100 President Samuelsen
and other officers and members
at City Hall presser.
Press Conference Sets Stage For Citywide, Council Races
It’s Bill Thompson
For Mayor
In addition to the Thompson en-
dorsement, the Local gave its backing
in other citywide races, including: Leti-
tia James for Public Advocate, and Scott
Stringer for Comptroller. The union also
formercitycomptrollerbillthompsonhadthefortitudeto
endorsed Robert Jackson for Manhat-
challenge Mayor Bloomberg in 2009 – and Local 100 had the moxie
tan Borough President, Eric Adams for
to back him. He almost pulled it off. In choosing Thompson to re-
Brooklyn Borough President and a num-
ceive our support this time around, the Local 100 Executive Board ber of City Council races.
But the grand prize in this election is
looked at the past, but also looked forward to chart a path to bring
Mayor.
a friend of working people to City Hall for the first time in 20 years.
In a presentation to the Executive Board
in late June, Thompson delivered the goods,
Letitia James,
explaining not just what he would bring to
center, our candidate
for Public Advocate, the table as Mayor, but how he gets to City
with President Hall. The way forward for his campaign,
Samuelsen, right,
said Thompson, leads through already-
and Sec’y Treas.
Earl Phillips. received endorsements from Manhattan
and Bronx democratic county leaders, and
from prominent politicians like State Sena-
tor Adriano Espaillat (who endorsed him
along with former rival Charles Rangel),
to a demographic take-down on primary
day reflecting Thompson’s historic strength
among Black and Latino voters.
6 TWU Local 100 • Bulletin
Thompson said he’d appoint a Local
100 member (the President or his designee)
to a voting seat on the MTA Board, and that
he would fight successfully to bring back
the commuter tax for mass transit, raising
$700 million for the system. Another $1
billion for transit would come from a new
idea: a weight-based vehicle registration fee.
And he promised to advocate strongly for
long-time positions taken by Local 100, in-
Robert Jackson, our candidate for Manhattan Borough President, addresses the press.
cluding fast tracking the installation of bus
partitions and protecting system safety by
bringing back station agents. Contracting
out transit work, he said, “will stop during
a Thompson administration.” And he said
he’s looking “to put money aside for raises,”
something Mayor Bloomberg and Gover-
nor Cuomo are ruling out.
Thompson says his good working re-
lationship with the Governor (he was co-
It’s Bill Thompson
chair of Cuomo’s first election campaign
committee) will allow him to get more
of what he wants – which is also more of
Scott Stringer, endorsed candidate for City Comptroller, was on hand at presser.
what we want.
For Mayor
John Liu, Bill de Blasio, and City Coun-
cil Speaker Christine Quinn also appeared
before the Executive Board seeking our en-
City Council-
dorsement. Even though they did not get it,
person Julissa
they are each maintaining positive ties with Ferreras, gives
TWU Local 100. dad, a retired
transit worker,
If Thompson gets in, the contrast with
a hug
Mayor Bloomberg would be dramatic. at the event.
Mayor Bloomberg antagonized the union
by pushing dollar vans over bus service, as
well as ordering the MTA to get rid of 370
Jay Street for $1, and did not protest when
former MTA Chair Jay Walder ordered the
wholesale layoffs of station agents and Bus
Operators.
now it’s every member’s respon-
sibility to hit the streets for Bill
Thompson, and to get out the vote
come Primary Day, September
10th. If he polls 40% or better,
he avoids a runoff, and heads,
that much stronger, into the
General Election on novem- TWU officers, including Sec’y
Treas. Earl Phillips and Vice
ber 5th where his opponent might
President Tony Utano, with
Capton
be the old boss of bosses, former the union’s endorsed candi-
MTA CEO Joe Lhota. dates from Brooklyn.
TWU Local 100 • Bulletin 7
8 TWU Local 100 • Bulletin
Summer in the Rockaways
Brought to You by TWU
A
MIR cUloUS
this was our day to bask in the sun. after seven months of tire power grid – pulling and replacing
unremitting effort on the part of Maintenance of Way workers, all of the power cables that were dam-
aged by the seawater that swamped the
including signal, power, structure and track crews, the A was
line on October 29, when Sandy rolled
running again from Howard Beach to Rockaway Park/Beach 116
in. It included all the track-related work
Street. – plates, ties, and the signaling system.
A festive mood brought out most of from the ground up…the MTA is glad to Contractors handled the stretch from
the City’s press corps on May 30 when once again provide a safe, reliable and ef- Howard Beach to Hammels WyE.
the MTA ran antique cars on the A line ficient train trip for our customers.” Just hours before the MTA’s celebra-
to showcase their achievement. First to It was a tough slog for hundreds of tory train tour, Power Cable Maintainers
congratulate our members in the MTA’s TWU Local 100 members, who did the who were still at their tools were hustled
official press release was now-confirmed work repairing the track from Rockaway to Beach 116th Street for official recogni-
MTA CEO Tom Prendergast, who said: Park back to what is called Hammels tion. Vice Chair Celeste Kirkland and her
“Restoring service to the Rockaways is a Wye, where the two branches of the A crew posed for a photo on the platform
proud achievement for MTA new york converge before heading across the wa- and were greeted by nyCT President
City Transit workers who did an incred- ter to Howard Beach and JFK airport. Carmen Bianco. He thanked TWU Local
ible amount of work to rebuild a railroad The work included the repair of the en- Continued on page 10
T/O Derrick
Power Division crew that Sherry drove the
worked on the broad channel first passenger
bridge attended ceremony. train for the
restored A line.
Continued on next page
TWU Local 100 • Bulletin 9
Miraculous
Continued from page 9
RTO VP Kevin Harrington,
seated, and C/T Chair Joe
Costales were on hand.
100 members for their work repairing
“miles of signal, power and communi-
cations wires,” and restoring track in-
Fun in the Sun:
frastructure. Transit even baked cookies Hauling cable on long
for the occasion, such as the one Train stretches was the
order of the day.
Operator Derrick Sherry is holding up
in the photo on page 9.
Given the first speaker’s slot at the re-
opening was Federal Transit Administra-
tor Peter Rogoff, who said the feds have
A Power Cable Maintainer splices control cables
committed $10 billion throughout the
just days before the May 30th re-opening of the line.
tri-state region to repair damage caused
by Sandy and harden the infrastructure
for the next storm. That’s a nod to more
work now in the pipeline for new york
City Transit. Bargaining Unit Protec-
tion department head Richard Holley
is going after it for Local 100 members
– with the work done by our crews in the
Rockaway restoration being exhibit A as
to why the in-house workforce gives the
greatest value per dollar spent.
CME’s D. Richardson
and B. Williams helped
restore historic train.
Cable Maintainers working on the Broad Channel train bridge.
10 TWU Local 100 • Bulletin