New Dental Benefits Coming This October!

President Richard Davis announced that TWU Local 100 has reached an agreement with a new provider, EmblemHealth, to significantly improve our dental benefits. These enhanced benefits, which will begin next month, will feature an  expanded network of top-tier providers and specialists, including:

• 100% coverage for preventive, basic, and major services.
• One implant per year covered in full
• Bone grafting
• One fluoride treatment per child annually until age 26
• An expanded network for pediatric dental care
• Emergency bedside calls
• Temporary dentures prior to permanent ones.
• Higher annual maximums

The new policy includes 8,500 dentists in New York, and 360,000 nationwide.

This is the result of your union standing strong for you. Stay tuned for a complete rundown of all benefits which will be posted along with the effective date.

TWU Local 100 Endorses Eric Adams for Mayor of New York City

APRIL 29 -- TWU Local 100 overwhelmingly and enthusiastically endorsed Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams for mayor today.

The Local 100 Executive Board voted overwhelmingly after hearing from eight leading candidates at the Union Hall in Brooklyn.

“Our members and officers have known Eric for a long time,” TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano said. “He’s stood with us in many battles and has always been there for us. He’s earned this endorsement and richly deserves it.”

Working in the Heat

Working in hot environments is not safe. Your body builds up heat when you work and sweats to get rid of it. Too much heat can make you tired, hurt your job performance, and increase your chance of injury. When the temperature changes quickly, you need time for your body to get adjusted to the heat. Be extra careful early in the summer when hot spells begin.

You have a right to a safe & comfortable work environment:

Clean water provided through a fountain, cooler or bottled water at all locations
Cool Work areas and break rooms
Ventilation to bring in clean air and take out hot air
Make adequate water supplies part of your daily workplace inspection

Need relief? Follow up with supervision immediately:

Bus- Call console, request immediate medical assistance
RTO- command 212-712-4480
CED- call your Barn Chair or Local Union rep
MOW- control 212-712-4120

If needed, file a Safety Rule Dispute Resolution Form.

For Stations: To follow up with supervision, call your respective Field Office. If you are a CTA, you can also ask for a comfort by entering the booth to cool down. If you feel unwell, you must notify OSAC and inform them that you are going home. Doctor’s lines will be needed on your return. Field Office numbers are as follows: 125th Street: 212-712-3127 or 718-436-8421; 44th Street: 212-424-5407 or -5408; 7th Ave: 718-243-3903 or 243-3905; Parsons-Archer: 718-334-8106. OSAC is 347-694-6500. Sick Desk for CTA’s ext. 42.

Click here to download a printed version of this message. Print it out and post it in your workplace.

For Stations Department members, click here.

One good flyer deserves another.

London Calling! TWU Local 100 Glad to Help Out

London’s Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (the RMT) – our brothers in arms across the pond – found inspiration in our recent graphic campaign to slow trains and prevent subway fatalities. We sent them our graphics files and they went to work, repurposing our graphic image of a chalk outline on the roadbed and making it the centerpiece of their campaign to bring back laid off workers who ensure safety on the Bakerloo line. The line’s management cut staffing, forcing train operators to drive out of service trains into stations or “sidings” in yards without checking for passengers who didn’t get off in time. The RMT points to the case of a 12-year old boy who found himself alone in a yard walking the tracks. Now the public is getting the message that this unsafe practice should end and that they should let London Underground management know they need to bring back the laid-off staff. See the RMT’s flyer here.

Rosh Hashanah

Wishing you a Sweet and Prosperous New Year As we welcome the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, may this time of reflection and renewal bring peace, happiness, and good health to you and your loved ones. Let us embrace the opportunities that come with a fresh start, celebrate our victories, and strengthen our resolve to overcome the challenges ahead. Shana Tova U’Metuka – May you have a sweet and prosperous year!

Union Holds 2nd Commemoration at 9/11 Museum

SEPTEMBER 18 -- Eight TWU Local 100 members who served at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks were presented with commemorative medals at a ceremony held within the National September 11th Memorial and Museum on September 18th. President Richard Davis presented the medals, which are given to transit workers who suffered severe illnesses or injuries from their service on the pile. Union leadership, along with 9/11 Museum President Elizabeth Hillman and Chief Curator Jan Ramirez, also presented for public viewing a showcase in the Museum's Foundation Hall, dedicated to transit worker artfacts used in the rescue and recovery effort, including a flashlight, work vest, hard hat, and ID card. Also on display at the Museum is a NY Times photograph from September 12th, showing a Track Worker on the pile manning a fire hose.

In his remarks at the awarding of the medals (one of which was given posthumously and accepted by the widow and children of deceased TEMM John Dunne), President Davis said, "This exhibit is not just a display of artifacts; it's testament to the bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering spirit of the men and women who stepped forward without hesitation."

Look for complete coverage of the event in the next edition of the Transport Workers Bulletin.

Refreshed Crew Quarters — Chambers Street

SEPTEMBER 20 -- At 8AM on Friday morning, Local 100 and management held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the newly expanded and updated crew quarters for Construction Flaggers at Chambers Street in Lower Manhattan. The renovated space includes locker rooms for both male and female workers, with the women’s restroom now featuring six stalls—a likely record for transit facilities, indicating the growing number of women in the workforce.

Eastern European Heritage Event Set for October 6th in Brighton Beach

Union members are cordially invited to celebrate the Eastern European and Central Asian heritage of transit workers in our 17th Annual event at the Tatiana Restaurant and Nightclub in Brooklyn. You can register here for the October 6th event. Space is limited!

Important Notice for Tier 6 Pension Members (2012-2022)

In 2021, TWU Local 100 raised serious concerns about the MTA’s pension calculations under the Tier 6 legislation, and our concerns were right on target. The MTA has confirmed that thousands of workers were overcharged for Tier VI contributions. As a result of our advocacy, the MTA is now refunding these wrongful deductions, with interest accrued through August 1, 2024.This correction affects approximately 8,000 Tier 6 employees from 2012-2022, who will receive the money that was incorrectly taken from them. However, despite our years of fighting for justice, several significant issues remain unresolved. The audit also revealed that some members may have been undercharged, and as a result were not paying into their pension.

To address this, the union secured payment options for any required repayments, ensuring that they are manageable. This prevents members from facing undue financial strain and ensures they retain their full pension benefits. Without our intervention, members could have been faced with paying interest on this money from day one until retirement, paying the amount in full, or even subject to loss of time counted toward retirement. We have filed a lawsuit against the MTA due to persistent problems with how they are calculating the amounts owed, the interest they promised to return , and the lack of effective dispute resolution methods.

Download a copy of this notification by clicking here

VICTORY: Judge Orders MTA to Restore Bus Service Levels!

JULY 18 -- New York State Justice Arthur Engoron today signed a temporary restraining order enjoining the MTA New York City Transit from allowing service cuts that were implemented on buses system-wide to continue. He ordered that the agency restore service levels to what they were before the cut began on July 12. Speaking outside the courthouse, TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis hailed the decision as a major victory for riders and workers. In court, TWU Local 100 attorney Arthur Schwartz offered to put the Vice Presidents of TASurface, MaBSTOA, and MTA Bus — all of whom were in the audience — to testify to the reality of the cuts.

Career & Salary Unit Approves New Contract, 503 to 8

JUNE 13 -- Over 500 members of the TWU's Career & Salary Unit, representing computer and telecommunications professionals and staff analysts working for the MTA, overwhelmingly approved a new contract which was recently negotiated and approved by the Union's Executive Board. The terms closely parallel those obtained by the main TWU Local 100 TA/OA/MTA Bus agreement. The Unit is made up of administrative and technical titles working under both the MaBSTOA and MTA Bus companies.

MaBSTOA Career and Salary votes tallied: 456 Yes / 8 No

MTA Bus votes tallied: 47 Yes / 0 No

President Richard Davis gave his congratulations to the members of the unit, many of whom work at MTA headquarters at 2 Broadway. "This is a good win for all of our Career and Salary members," he said. "We fulfilled key expectations that made their way to the negotiating table."

You can read the MOU for the MABSTOA represented titles here.

You can read the MOU for the MTA Bus represented titles here.

Union Wins Representation Election at Connecticut STA School Bus Company

JUNE 13 -- With all votes counted, TWU Local 100 has won a convincing victory at Student Transportation of America's Haddam/Killingworth unit, operating school bus services in the lower Connecticut river valley. TWU picked up 19 votes, with 9 voting "no union" and 5 going with the Teamsters. 50 workers were eligible to vote.

Union Holds Press Conference for Assaulted Bus Operator

JUNE 11 -- TWU Local 100 held a press conference today at the Union Hall to zero in on increasing assaults on buses. A female Bus Operator recounted an attack which she experienced on her B6 bus in East New York last Friday. The Operator, who did not want her name used, said she was punched when she refused to stop the bus at an unauthorized corner. She was badly bruised and wore an eye patch at the conference.

Local 100 President Richard Davis called her "a hero today" for having the courage to come forward. He called for District Attorneys to press for penalties of seven years in jail for those who assault transit workers. "The Mayor's office and the DA's need to come back to the table and talk to us about these issues," he said.

Secretary-Treasurer John Chiarello said, "The MTA is not living up to its obligation to protect members on the job. We want MTA CEO Jan Lieber to deploy all of his resources." He called for underground police officers to be deployed on buses.

TA Surface Vice President JP Patafio called the asssaults "a type of micro-terrorism" and said that members would not stand for it.

Bus Operator Assaulted During Route Detour

June 8, 2024 – At approximately 11:30 am today, veteran bus driver, Isaac Egharevba, with 17 years of service was violently attacked while operating the number 3 shuttle near the Grand Ave Depot. The incident occurred amidst tensions caused by a route detour, which had made several passengers irate.

The operator was performing his duties as assigned, when an unknown assailant unexpectedly sliced him on the left side of his face, between the neck and jaw. Initially believing he had been punched, Egharevba quickly realized the severity of his injury when he began bleeding profusely. Demonstrating remarkable presence of mind, he safely stopped the bus and called for assistance.

Responders arrived promptly, providing him immediate medical attention after he sustained a deep laceration. He is currently resting, being treated for his wound. TA Surface Recording Secretary Alexander Kemp responded to the scene and provided essential support to the injured member. Once EMTs tended to Isaac and transported him to the hospital, Chairman Clarence remained by his side offering support to our him and his family.

Richard Davis, President of TWU Local 100 said "The safety of our drivers is non-negotiable. This violent attack on one of our own is an attack on us all. We will not rest until the assailant is brought to justice." The union urges all members to remain vigilant. An investigation is currently underway and authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and gathering witness accounts to identify and apprehend the assailant. Our thoughts are with the operator and his family during this time.

"Death Gamble" Heading Towards Passage

JUNE 5 -- With only two days to go before the end of the legislative session in Albany, the Union has been advised that our "Death Gamble" pension legislation is set to pass both houses. This provision benefits MTA/NYCT members' estates who attained the years of service and age requirements for a full pension, but died before retiring without having filed for retirement.

If a member dies in active service, his or her beneficiaries receive a death benefit, generally equal to three times their regular salary. This is often less than the family would receive if the member had retired and filed for a pension.

With the passage of the new bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn) and Assemb. Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Queens), the family of a transit worker who dies in active service, and who has met the age/service requirement for a full pension, will receive the full value of that pension benefit, as if they had retired on the date of their death.

President Davis thanked TWU Local 100 PAC Director Sharase DeBouse, Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato (in photo), Sen. Gounardes, and the many members of the legislature who stood by transit workers and guided this legislation to a successful conclusion.

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