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Trial Date Set in Bus Assault; Union Objects to "Alternatives to Incarceration"

MAY 23 – Over 75 Bus Operators and other transit workers crowded a Manhattan criminal courtroom this morning for the trial of Rashon Eagle, who is accused of assaulting Bus Operator Moses Adams on the M15 Bus last February. After a brief scuffle with our Bus Operator, Eagle allegedly attacked Adams with a knife. Fortunately, our Operator was able to disarm him.

Bus Operator Adams was present in the courtroom along with his wife and Local 100 officers from MABSTOA including VP Donald Yates and Division Chair Sean Battaglia.

The case was called at 10:45am. In the brief hearing, a Legal Aid attorney representing the assailant said that his client’s last arrest had occurred in 2018 and that he was seeking an Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) decision for drug and mental health treatment. The judge said that the parties were free to agree on an ATI, but that in the meantime he was setting a trial date of August 15. The attacker, Rashon Eagle, is currently out on $3,000 cash bail.

Outside the court, MABSTOA VP Donald Yates disagreed with the possibility of an ATI. “Moses Adams faced a very terrible assault,” Yates said outside of court. “We’re not feeling like we’re getting the justice that is deserved in this matter. This case was an attempted murder. He fought for his life. The least the court system could do is prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. Our Operators face daily challenges while serving the public.”

Division Chair Sean Battaglia said in part, “This was attempted murder… We come to work to provide a service for the riding public. We do not come here to get assaulted. To hear that this accused attacker had the option of an ATI is an outrage. We’re not going to stand for it.”

Union Blasts Bronx DA for Mental Health Waiver in CTA Assault Case

TWU Local 100 Station VP Robert Kelley blasted Bronx DA Darcel Clark for allowing defendant Alexander Wright to claim mental health as a reason to delay his ongoing trial in the Bronx. Wright assaulted CTA Anthony Nelson in August of 2022, inflicting serious injuries which still have not healed. In this Fox 5 report, Kelley notes that Wright has over 40 arrests on his rap sheet and Fox 5 showed surveillance video of Wright sucker punching an Asian woman in Chinatown. Wright previously claimed mental illness and the trial was already put on hold once, before he was judged fit to stand trial. This latest delay comes from the Bronx DA's office and has stirred anger among transit workforce who see justice delayed yet again.

Union Leads Legal Battle Against MTA Over Pregnancy Discrimination

In a bold move to address the widespread denial of reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers within the MTA, Richard Davis, President of TWU Local 100, has thrown his support behind members in need of reasonable accommodations in the TA Surface Department as they pursue a landmark lawsuit. The legal action, an Article 78 proceeding filed in New York State Supreme Court on April 18, aims to challenge the systemic barriers faced by pregnant employees and demands equitable treatment of women within the transit authority.

Major Victories in State Budget For Local 100 Pension Reform, Overtime Calculation Extensions, and Protection Against Spitting Incidents!

As the Albany budget dust settles, TWU Local 100 can claim significant victories on three fronts -- a more favorable calculation for Tier 6 retirement benefits, a carry-over of overtime pension calculation benefits from the COVID-19 years, and a breakthrough in raising penalties for perpetrators in spitting incidents on NYCT workers.

These accomplishments are due to persistent engagement by our membership -- who showed up in Lobby Day in unprecedented numbers -- along with a full-court press by union leaders and staff, said President Richard Davis. Davis also credited the win to a new initiative, organized by our Tier 6 Reform Committee Chair and Co-Chair, that brought a large group of transit workers -- Tier 6 Ambassadors -- to the State Capitol as the budget was being finalized.

Yoga, Relaxation Classes Come to the Union Hall

Local 100 will present relaxation and yoga classes at the Union Hall beginning later this month. The Relaxation sessions include guided relaxation, breathing, and aromatherapy. The Yogatation class will teach techniques that you can apply anytime you want a healthy break during your workday.

Relaxation classes take place on Fridays: May 17th, June 14th, and July 12th. Sessions last 30 minutes, and four are scheduled on each day from 2PM to 4PM.

Yogatation takes place on 11 Fridays from April 26th through July 26th in two one-hour sessions from 2PM and 3PM and from 3PM to 4PM.

Mike Quill in 1938

Today 4/12 Marks 90 Years Since the Union Began

On April 12, 1934, seven men met in a Columbus Circle cafeteria after a hard night’s work on the IRT to find a way to fight the transit companies which had trampled workers’ rights into bitter dust. They knew that in past years – 1905, 1910, 1916, strikes had failed to create a union.

Union Retirees Covered for Treatment at New York's Premier Cancer Hospital

IB Image

In response to the Union's request for clarification, Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York's premier cancer hospital, has clarified that the hospital accepts our retirees' Aetna Medicare Advantage plan as "in network" coverage as a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). You can read the relevant section of the Memorial Sloan Kettering website here. This Aetna coverage is accepted at MSK for NYC Transit Retirees only, according to the site.

"Retirees can rest assured that their coverage at MSK is in good hands and is in force," said Local 100's Director of Health Benefits, Chris Lightbourne. "The commercial plan that active members participate in has had Sloan as a participating provider for years. If individual members are having difficulty with Sloan being an in-network provider, please provide member details and what facilities are involved and Aetna can then investigate," he said. You can reach the Union at: member.services@twulocal100.org.

Pilot Program Will Test Gun Detection in Subways

MARCH 28 -- Stations VP Robert Kelley along with MOW Power Division Vice Chair Celeste Kirkland, who leads our Safety Department, attended Mayor Eric Adams’s press conference today at the Fulton Street Station in Manhattan. Adams announced a new-tech scanner to aid in detecting guns and other dangerous weapons people may attempt to carry into our transit system. The technology is said to be smart enough to detect the difference between a gun and a phone. Local 100 was present for the demonstration and will keep members updated for further developments.

We Commemorate the Workers Killed at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire -- 113 Years Ago

MARCH 25 -- Today marks the 113th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in Greenwich Village in 1911. It was the greatest industrial disaster in the history of the city, causing the deaths of 146 garment workers – 123 women and girls and 23 men – who died from the fire, smoke inhalation, falling, or jumping to their deaths. Most of the victims were recent Italian or Jewish immigrant women and girls.

Because the doors to the stairwells and exits were locked – a common practice at the time to prevent workers from taking unauthorized breaks and to reduce theft – many of the workers could not escape from the burning building and jumped from the high windows. There were no sprinklers in the building. The fire led to legislation requiring improved factory safety standards and helped spur the growth of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU), which fought for better working conditions for sweatshop workers. It paved the way for safety rules and fire regulations which have protected millions of workers to date.

Remembering the tragic fire and the union's vital role in protecting workers, we say along with Mother Jones: Pray for the dead, and fight like hell for the living.

Healthcare Update: Aetna and NY Presbyterian Agreement Reached!

For members who may have received an email or correspondence from NY-Presbyterian about their negotiations with Aetna: A agreement has been reached! The ongoing negotiations between Aetna and NY-Presbyterian have been settled. These negotiations are a standard part of the process, aimed at securing the best possible health plan for you. At this time, your coverage remains unchanged. There will be no impact on your ability to receive care at NY-Presbyterian facilities. Your health and well-being is a top priority. If you have any questions or concerns contact your union rep or call Aetna at 1-855-824-5349