TWU Local 100 | New York's Public Transit Union

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Transit Workers Turn out for Dominican Celebration and Parade on 6th Avenue

AUGUST 10 – Transit Workers paraded up 6th Avenue for the 43rd Annual Dominican Day Parade, saluting the nearly three-quarters of a million New Yorkers of Dominican ancestry, including TWU Local 100 members. One of those – our own Carlos Bernabel, Secretary-Treasurer of TWU Local 100 – was honored as an Ambassador of Hope at an early morning breakfast in Inwood where unions and political leaders gathered.

TWU Local 100’s Political Action Director, Sharase Debouse, was also recognized. Warmly embraced by Adriano Espaillat, the first Dominican-American to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, she gave her remarks first in Spanish and then translated for the crowd.

“Thank you all so much for this honor,” she said. “I do this work because I love it. I love my community, I love my people, and I love labor.”

TWU Contingent at APRI Conference in Chicago

AUGUST 9 -- TWU Local 100 is participating in the A. Philip Randolph Institute's 54th annual National Educational Conference in Chicago, Illinois. The Conference was founded by noted civil rights and labor leaders A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin. You can read more about the history of the APRI here.

APRI unites action for civil rights and for labor. TWU Local 100 Training and Upgrading Director Charles Jenkins, who is also the Executive Chair of our Civil & Human Rights Committee, is attending along with Brothers and Sisters from TWU Local 291. In the photos Jenkins stands with TWU members along with APRI President Clayola Brown (along with Al Sharpton) and noted actor and activist Danny Glover.

Justine Randall: Accused in thefts of trains

Transit Must Move Faster to Prevent Train Thefts

AUGUST 8--An epidemic of youthful train thefts is rocking the system and the MTA is moving slower than molasses to address it.

Just two weeks ago, Justine Randall, 18, was arrested for allegedly using stolen keys to gain access to an N Train in Astoria, Queens, driving it one stop southbound. Randall – a serial train hijacker who also purloins MTA property and has attacked a Transit worker—was in court yesterday after previously jumping bail and ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Randall currently has cases in Queens, Bronx, and Brooklyn courts.

It’s not like this is news to the MTA. Over two years ago, in March of 2023, after two suspects stole a train in Brooklyn, the Transit Authority said that it was “exploring the possibility of adding biometric identification measures” to prevent thefts. Today, that solution is still covered in bureaucratic red tape. Stories broke earlier this year of groups of kids boarding and driving out-of-service or laid-up trains on joyrides, creating videos for social media and having the time of their young lives while they exploit the weaknesses of MTA’s security. Other reports found young people stealing train crew equipment.

Scholarships Amounting $152,500 Awarded at Union Hall

AUGUST 7 — Carrying on a 15-year tradition, TWU Local 100 leadership, along with executives from M3 Technology, presented scholarship awards to 58 college students, the vast majority children of active members. M3 provides insurance products and benefits to union members.

Track Worker Shannon Poland, who coordinates the awards events, introduced President John V. Chiarello, who greeted the roomful of students and their proud parents.

“Some of us, including me, chose to learn a trade,” he said. “But for those pursuing higher education, we support you 100 percent – and then some. Whatever your passion is, whatever your calling – go for it, and don’t look back,” said Chiarello. “Make sure you thank your parents,” he told the scholars, “they have sacrificed more than you’ll ever know. Your success is our success.”

TWU Local 100 Mourns George Perlstein

We are saddened to announce that RCI George Perlstein passed away on August 4, 2025.

George was a tireless fighter for workers rights. He joined Transit in 1998 and from the very beginning he worked to better the lives of his colleagues, he never wavered in his positions and always put workers first. George served the membership in many capacities during his career, finishing up with the UAP, helping members to battle their demons and get their lives back on track.

George was a friend to everyone and was always available to lend an ear. His quick wit and great sense of humor always had his friends smiling. He will be missed by all. God Rest his Soul.

Shiva services are ongoing today, Thursday, August 7th at 1717 East 38th Street in Brooklyn from 11AM to 11PM for close friends and family.

President Chiarello and Other Top Officers Meet Newest Hires, Encourage Solidarity

AUGUST 6 — You've taken a civil service test for a transit job. You may have waited years to be called up. Then the day comes when you get the letter to report for training, and you’re on your way to a career with New York City Transit.

If you’re one of the thousands of New Yorkers who follow this path each year, this is when your life has the potential to really change—and you start on the one-year probationary period that determines whether the job is right for you and you are right for the job.

The first week is jam-packed, and management seems to have the upper hand when you get hit with a blizzard of regulations and policy prescriptions. But now it’s Tuesday, time for your trip to the Union Hall to hear about how best to get ready for your new career—and how the TWU has your back.

Yesterday our newest members were visited by President John V. Chiarello and the other members of the Top Four, who gave the fresh crop of hires some more food for thought in addition to their lunch.

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What We Know About the Recent Subway Power Failures

AUGUST 6 — Multiple power outages crippled the transit system last week, most significantly at West 4th Street, where service on the B, C, D, F, and M trains was interrupted during morning and evening rush hours, giving thousands of straphangers a taste of 2017’s “Summer of Hell”.

The first outage occurred on Tuesday, July 29th at 8:32 AM, when “signal trouble at West 4th Street” caused delays in the A, B, C, D, E, F, and M trains according to internal logs.

Later that day, at 5:27, the MTA reported on their NYCT Subway X account that B service was suspended, with the reason given as “a loss of power to our signaling system.”

Woman Arrested for Assaulting Station Agent Brazenly Violates Court Order to Harass Victim at Co-defendant’s Arraignment

AUGUST 1 — One of two women who attacked Station Agent Marshalee Reid at the New Lots station on June 28 revictimized the transit worker Thursday when she showed up at her co-defendant’s court date to intimidate Reid.

Ayizhae Thomas was arraigned in Brooklyn Supreme Criminal Court on Wednesday, July 30 and allowed to continue her supervised release, to the disappointment and anger of the union and Reid, who is still suffering greatly from the brutal assault.

“We have a mother who was assaulted for merely doing her job, and this individual walked free today,” said Robert Kelley, VP of Stations.

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