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Third Time’s the Charm as TWU Local 100 Propels Espaillat to Victory in the 13th CD Race!

JUNE 29 -- TWU Local 100 took a victory lap along with Democratic Primary Winner Adriano Espaillat in upper Manhattan and the Bronx last night. It was Espaillat's third run for Congress and with the help of Local 100's political organizing, he has prevailed.

With just over a thousand registered Democratic voters in the District, TWU members were, without any doubt, the margin of victory in Espaillat’s 36.7% to 33.1% win over Assemblyman Keith Wright. We established a Bronx TWU campaign office and mounted an extremely effective and unprecedented get-out-the-vote effort among Local 100 members. PAC Director Marvin Holland and his team put in long hours for weeks. Notably, Train Operator Dawn Sobers (on the ladder) ran Local 100’s most comprehensive and detailed member-to-member operation in our history, charting out our members, educating them on the issues and urging them to vote. Bus Operators from Kingsbridge jumped into the campaign along with TWU members in other titles.

When it all came down to the finish line, TWU was the first union Adriano thanked in his victory speech just a block from the Dyckman Avenue stop on the #1 train, stating, “All along, every single time, they stood with me – TWU!." President John Samuelsen said: "This victory belongs in large part to each and every rank and file Local 100 member who worked on the campaign and voted in this election."

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NYC Pride’s Exuberant Parade Highlights TWU

Content from 2016 Pride

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Turning onto 5th Avenue from 40th Street at just about 6pm, TWU’s Pride contingent boasted a float, a City bus, a big banner, and high spirits. Members danced atop the float as our DJ worked a powerful sound system and reminded the huge crowds along the parade route that the marchers are the subway and bus workers who move New York. Parade judges near Washington Square park saluted the TWU and welcomed Recording Secretary LaTonya Crisp-Sauray for a photo op. The late-step off was due to the huge number of floats and marchers this year, with many wanting to make a statement in the aftermath of the tragic events in Orlando. If you weren’t there, enjoy the (slide) show!

Judge Rules: Vision Zero Law Unconstitutional

A Vision Zero law that Mayor de Blasio used to arrest Bus Operators is unconstitutional, a Queens judge has ruled.

Echoing the arguments TWU Local 100 has made for more than a year, Judge Gia L. Morris on Friday dismissed criminal charges that police levied against school Bus Operator Isaac Sanson. Sanson’s school bus fatally struck a pedestrian at a Queens‘ intersection in December 2014. He was charged under the “Right of Way” law for allegedly failing to drive with “due care.” But that’s too vague a standard for a criminal charge, and wrongly put the burden of proof on the defendant, Morris ruled. The vague “due care” is more suitable for a civil case, Morris wrote in the decision.

The decision sets a very important precedent for future cases. "Judge Morris clearly, forcefully and correctly ruled that Bill de Blasio essentially trampled on the Constitution, and on the rights of hard working, conscientious MTA Bus Operators,” Local 100 President John Samuelsen said. “The judge has validated TWU Local 100’s objection to these wrongful arrests in the aftermath of accidents."

TWU Local 100’s campaign against the arresting of bus operators under Vision Zero included a federal lawsuit, full-page ads in major newspapers and job actions that slowed down bus service.

Assailant of Bus Operator Gets Four Years in Jail

JUNE 24 -- News outlets including the Daily News covered yesterday's sentencing of Alfredo Perez, convicted of two counts of assault in the 2nd Degree, and one count of possession of a deadly weapon, in the unprovoked attack on Bus Operator John Browne in September of 2014. The post-conviction sentencing hearing came at Brooklyn Supreme Court under Judge Michael Gary. Perez was sentenced to four years in prison and three years' probation on each of the first two counts, and one year of prison on the third count. He will serve the sentences concurrently.

Reporter Christina Carrega Woodby writes;

A face-tattooed Bronx man was sentenced to four years in prison for slashing a bus driver’s face and neck for no reason. “I could have lost my life,” said MTA bus operator John Browne during his victim impact statement in Brooklyn Supreme Court on Thursday. Browne, 45, was waiting for his B35 bus to get repaired near Mother Gaston Blvd. and Hegeman Ave. in Brownsville when Alfredo Perez approached and cut him with a knife, unprovoked. Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Gary found Perez guilty of assault and criminal possession of a knife after a bench trial.

Read the whole story here.

It includes video footage of Brother Browne speaking about the assault, surrounded by TAS Surface officers including Vice President JP Patafio and Division Chair Willie Rivera, and others.

Other coverage also appeared on New York 1 and in other news outlets.

The Brooklyn District Attorney's office put out this press release, applauding the sentence.

Update: Trial Date Set in Pena Case

JUNE 21 -- Manhattan Criminal Court Justice Gregory Carro, in a noontime conference with Assistant District Attorney Randolph Clarke and the attorney for the accused killer of Bus Operator William Pena, set August 11th as the date for evidentiary hearings in the case and September 15th as a trial date. Dominic Whilby, whose stolen truck crashed into Pena's M14 bus early in the morning of February 12, 2014, had refused the people's offer of 14 to 24 years in prison. TWU members and officers including VP of Private Lines Pete Rosconi and RTO Conductor Chair Crystal Young, were in court today to support Willie's widow, Nancy Rodriguez, and their daughter Gabrielle. Mr. Whilby was brought into court from jail for the brief appearance before Judge Carro. We're asking for all TWU members to plan on attending these two upcoming dates to provide support for Willie's family and send a message to the criminal justice system about the importance of this case to all transit workers. The evidentiary hearings scheduled for August 11 will be about the admissability of evidence and witnesses to the crime.

Stations VP Derrick Echevarria (at left) stands with bill supporters including State Sen. Kevin Parker (center), rank and file union members, and City Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras

Cleaner Assault Bill Achieved Victory Due to a Determined Effort

Rank and File Transit Workers, Key Legislators, and Union's PAC Department All Gave Maximum Effort

TWU Local 100 Cleaners can now go about their jobs with the assurance that they have significant new protection under law from assaults on the job. It's a long-awaited victory for the CTA's, who now join other transit titles who were covered earlier under these provisions. From now on, anyone assaulting a Cleaner can be charged with a D Felony, that carries a penalty of up to seven years in jail.

When the New York State Assembly passed A.10048B, a companion bill to S. 4550A on the Senate side, it was due to a powerful effort by key legislators, who championed TWU Local 100's cause. Prominent among them were Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, who joined her colleague in the Senate, Kevin Parker, as prime movers of the legislation.

TWU Local 100 Stations Department Vice President Derrick Echevarria and Political Action Director Marvin Holland lobbied tirelessly to coordinate the winning effort. A rank and file lobbying effort, coordinated by the TWU PAC, in which Local 100 Cleaners directly lobbied New York State legislators in Albany, was pivotal in bringing the Union victory home.

The passage of the legislation was announced by TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen, who made this measure a priority beginning in 2011. "Our subway cleaners are on the front lines of the busiest subway system in the country," Samuelsen said. "Now they have the same protection under state law as police, firefighters, train operators, train conductors and bus operators. Anyone who assaults a cleaner can be prosecuted for a felony - and sent to state prison. Judges and prosecutors should not hesitate in using this newly granted authority."

Samuelsen singled out State Senator Adriano Espaillat, who is currently running for Congress with the Union's endorsement, as an early supporter and strong champion of the Cleaner assault bill. He asks all TWU members to join him and Sen. Espaillat on June 22nd at 1818 Cedar Avenue, Bronx NY 10453, from 3 to 5 PM. The event is called both to celebrate the passage of the bill and support Sen. Espaillat in his campaign for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 13th CD in Manhattan.

Computer Specialists Prepare for Bargaining

TWU Local 100’s newest members – MTA Computer Specialists and Associates – met with union organizers on June 7th at the union hall to prepare for bargaining with New York City Transit. The 400-member unit was recently certified as an official unit of Local 100, after a year-long organizing campaign.

At the meeting, Director of Organizing Frank McCann presented the results of an online survey of members that called for night differential, commuter passes, and other improvements in pay and working conditions. Now that the Specialists and Associates are under the TWU umbrella, McCann said, complaints such as poor air quality in the workplace will be vigorously addressed. Negotiations with the MTA are expected on June 28th. The unit’s core committee, all Specialists and Associates, addressed about 100 members who came to the meeting and promised an all-out effort to bring home the workers’ demands.

TWU Local 100 continues its rapid fire growth. We are organizing at a pace which is unprecedented since the earliest days of our union.

TWU Local 100 at the Puerto Rican Day Parade

Content from 2016 Puerto Rican Day Parade

Gorgeous weather and a sea of red, white and blue greeted hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to the Puerto Rican Day Parade, the city’s largest, on Sunday June 12. Backed by a large union float with a DJ, TWU Local 100 marched up Fifth Avenue in unity.

The union’s theme this year was a demand that Congress act appropriately to allow Puerto Rico to address its current debt crisis. TWU Local 100 has publicly insisted that Congress restore Puerto Rico’s legal authority to declare Chapter 9 to restructure its debt to save its economy, jobs, schools and all vital public services.

In a statement released to the press on behalf of TWU Local 100, Administrative Vice President Angel Giboyeaux said: “The Puerto Rican crisis is not simply numbers on a balance sheet. It is people suffering. Children. The elderly. The sick. It’s a humanitarian crisis. Congress needs to pass legislation allowing Puerto Rico to file for Chapter 9 Bankruptcy just like Detroit and other municipalities have done when faced with insurmountable and crushing debts.”

Samuelsen Challenges de Blasio’s Labor Credentials and Talks About the Upcoming Contract Fight in Radio News Interview

Local 100 President John Samuelsen made quite a bit of news in a recent radio interview on AM 970 on the weekly LaborPress radio show, Blue Collar Buzz.

Samuelsen said that the union leadership has no intention of protracted negotiations with the MTA in Local 100’s upcoming contract campaign. He said that the “economic calamity” of 2012 and a lingering organizational hangover from the 2005 strike dictated that the union continue to negotiate beyond the expiration of the contract on Jan. 16, 2012. But, he said this time will be different. Samuelsen said he favors Local 100’s more traditional path of setting a deadline and sticking to it.

Samuelsen also challenged the notion that labor would line up behind Bill de Blasio if the embattled Mayor runs for a second term. “I don’t see Bill de Blasio as a pro-trade union Mayor,” said Samuelsen.

Samuelsen Nominated to MTA Board

Gov. Cuomo has nominated TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen to serve on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board.

If approved by the State Senate, Samuelsen will become the first Local 100 president to ever sit on the board, which meets monthly to set policy for the largest transit system in the United Sates.

Cuomo nominated Samuelsen to fill a now-vacant non-voting seat that traditionally has gone to a representative of organized labor. TWU Local 100 members will now have a direct voice on issues of great concern to workers and riders.

A Trackworker by title, Samuelsen, 48, of Brooklyn, was elected to his third term as Local 100 president in December, 2015. TWU Local 100 has approximately 42,000 members. The vast majority are bus and subway workers employed by the MTA. The Local 100 membership, however, also includes workers at private school bus, bike share and tour bus companies, as well as Liberty Lines Transit Inc. in Westchester County.

MTA board members are volunteers and do not receive pay for their service.