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Union Mourns Willie Joe Kirkland, 84, Father of Safety Director Celeste Kirkland

JANUARY 30 – Willie Joe Kirkland, a Bus Operator with 25 years of service with NYC Transit, passed away on Monday, January 27th. He was 84 years old and operated the M15 bus in Manhattan in the 70’s and 80’s.

His daughter, TWU Local 100 Safety Director and Power Cable Maintainer Celeste Kirkland said, “I loved my father, and he loved me. Everyone said I walked like him, talked like him.”

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Brother Kirkland was on a ventilator which was removed shortly before Celeste visited him at a hospital in South Carolina. They had three days together filled with love and laughter before he passed away.

In addition to his career in NYC Transit, he also was a tour bus and trolley operator, and worked as a wedding photographer. He was a man of faith and enjoyed sharing his knowledge of scripture. Willie Joe joined st Matthew's Church and served his community by teaching Sunday school.

Willie Joe Kirkland was admired by many. His memory will live on in the hearts of his family and all who knew him.

A Funeral Service will take place tomorrow, Friday, January 31 at St. Matthews Baptist Church in Ridgeland, SC, with the viewing at 10AM and the Service at 11AM.

Mike Quill Passed the Torch to Us

JANUARY 28 – TWU Founder Mike Quill died 59 years ago today. He was only 60 years old.

He had his first heart attack in the Civil Jail on West 37th Street, after being arrested by detectives while leading TWU negotiations at the Americana Hotel -- because he refused to end the strike he called on New Year’s Day, 1966. 12 days later the strike was won by the TWU and Quill was released from custody. He suffered a second heart attack on January 28th, 1966, this time fatal. His physician said that Quill died from overwork, and transit workers knew that he gave his life for the cause of labor.

Union Statement on Youths Taking Weekend Joyride on R Train

JANUARY 28 -- Last weekend, three young men gained access to an R160 train in Queens and took it on a joyride, hitting 30 MPH according to their own video, which was posted on Instagram. These are new technology trains which TWU Local 100 has warned New York City Transit are vulnerable to break-ins.

In January of 2024 – a year ago -- New York City Transit committed to “a simple and fast solution that we can implement in weeks, not months or years” [The City, “Transit Workers Say MTA to Slow to Protect Subway Cabs, Dec 9, 2024.]

Statement from TWU Local 100

The union announced this week that Richard Davis has resigned from his position as President of TWU Local 100. In his resignation letter, Mr. Davis cited health reasons for his departure.

After consulting with our attorneys, the Union can now officially share the following information:

TWU International President John Samuelsen suspended Mr. Davis upon learning of accusations of alleged sexual misconduct. In connection with those allegations, the International Union filed internal charges against Mr. Davis.
Our public restraint regarding this matter stems from the potentially serious legal ramifications and privacy concerns for the accuser—rather than any conspiracy theories to conceal the truth from you.
It is important to know the elected leadership is in control of Local 100. We continue to operate autonomously and with the full support and partnership of our International, the Transport Workers Union of America.
Local 100’s Executive Committee, consisting of the top Officers and all Department Vice Presidents, has unanimously voted that John V. Chiarello, the elected Financial Secretary-Treasurer, will oversee the Local’s day-to-day affairs on an interim basis.
We are now moving forward and laser focused on upholding the great legacy of this proud Union, restoring confidence within our membership, and re-centering “fightback” as the leadership mantra of Local 100.
In accordance with our bylaws, our Executive Board will appoint a President at its next scheduled meeting in February.

Second Transit Family Burnt Out of Home at Allerton Fire

JANUARY 22 -- The early morning fire at 2910 Wallace Ave in the Allerton section of the Bronx has forced two transit families from their homes. Michelle Ramirez, head of our Women and Family Assistance Committee, is asking for prayers and help for Union sister Nicolet Seymour, who lived there with her family. She is a CTA with five years' service with New York City Transit. This is the same fire that burned out the home of Tower Operator Jewelene Scott-Fernandez.

Nicolet writes: On January 10th, 2025, the unexpected happened. A 5-alarm fire tore through our 6-story apartment building, completely taking with it the roof, the 6th & 5th floors. The remaining floors are flooded with extensive water damage, and quite a few ceilings have collapsed. The building has been deemed condemned. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. We are unable to return to the building to see if any items can be retrieved due to the ongoing investigation by FDNY, NYPD, & the building inspectors.

Safety Team Responds to Bus Crash Over Henry Hudson Parkway

JANUARY 17 -- TWU Local 100 MTA Bus Vice President Danny D'Amato, Division Chair Mike Capocci, Yonkers Depot Chair Marcus Soler and TWU Safety Team members Joseph DiPaola and Jamie Ayuso responded to a bus incident in Riverdale today involving a BXM1 which had impinged on the stone wall over the Henry Hudson Parkway at approximately 8:40 AM.

Gleason Bus Operator & Family Burned Out of Her Home

A January 13th fire in Sunset Park consumed the home of Bus Operator Janai Lopez, a 5-year veteran of NYC Transit working at the Gleason Depot. Janai has been displaced from her home along with her four children and her 1 year-old Doberman pinscher. There are photos of the devastation in this post.

Michelle Ramirez of the Women's and Family Assistance Committee and Robert Martinez, Depot Chair and Gleason, are asking for your support.

Tower Operator and Son Burned Out of Apartment; Asking for Support

JANUARY 15 -- A roaring fire in the Bronx destroyed all of the possessions of Tower Operator Jewelene Scott-Fernandez and her 19 year-old son, Shane, and his little sister. The January 10 early morning fire in Allerton engulfed her apartment building in flames, forcing everyone out into the cold. Shane has autism.

Our Women's and Family Assistance Committee is asking union members to help the family by providing clothing for Ms. Scott: large in tops, 10 in pants, 10 in shoes. For Shane, 2XL in tops, 11.5 in shoes. Shane also lost his favorite gaming system, a PS5,a nd his TV. Donations can be dropped off at the Union Hall, 195 Montague Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, 3rd Floor.

Nathania Scott, who is our Tower Operator's daughter, has started a Go Fund Me, and you can find that link here.

Statement by Pres. Richard Davis on Gov. Hochul's new Subway Safety Initiatives

Welcome New Members!

JANUARY 7 -- New York City Transit’s newest hires – and our newest members – were welcomed today at the Union Hall in downtown Brooklyn. Over 100 new union members about to go into the system include Traffic Checkers, Transit Property Protection Agents, Station Agents and CTA’s, Signal Helper Maintainers, and others.

They were welcomed into our Union family by Vice Presidents and Division officers, who explained the progress we have made over 90 years of struggle which have turned a job into a real career, and a mainstay for working class families. Our newest members also heard about the benefits that come with their new jobs and got a glimpse of union history in an opening video narrated by President Richard Davis.
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