TWU Local 100 | New York's Public Transit Union

Black and Latino Caucus Stands with Local 100 in Contract Fight

Local 100 picked up crucial support on January 24, 2012 for its campaign for a fair contract for transit workers from numerous members of the State Legislature’s Black and Latino Caucus.

Nearly 20 influential legislators from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, including Keith Wright, Chair of the Assembly Labor Committee, and Martin Malavé Dilan, Chair of the Minority Conference and Senior Assistant Majority Leader, demanded that the MTA drop its demands for three years of zero wage increases, part time bus operators and a new, permanent lower wage tier for newly hired Cleaners.

The legislators, who spoke at a press conference at the Legislative Office Building in Albany, echoed the importance of public transportation to their constituents, and the positive economic impact of transit workers who live in their communities and who work at MTA depots and barns in their districts.

Local 100 President John Samuelsen, speaking on behalf of the Local 100 officers and staff in attendance, thanked the legislators for “standing with TWU.” He said that the union is vigorously resisting the MTA’s assault on full time jobs, and he said that the union would pursue its goal of a negotiated settlement that “allows us to continue to take care of our families.”

Local 100 President John Samuelsen tells press conference on Jan. 19, 2012 that the union halted bargaining over an MTA breach of confidence by “bargaining in the press.”

TWU Halts Talks Over ‘Bad Faith Bargaining’

TWU 100 and the MTA held intensive contract talks the weekend of Jan. 13 - 16.

Some progress was made on departmental issues, but discussions of wages and health benefits still have a long way to go.

Despite reports planted by the MTA in the media, only two wage proposals have been made. The MTA is “offering” 0-0-0-2-2. That is, a 5-yr contract with a 3-yr wage freeze and a 2% raise in the 4th and 5th year. These terms mirror the deal accepted by two big unions of NY state workers.

Local 100 called for annual raises that keep pace with increases in the cost of living.. President Samuelsen made it clear that he and the entire Local 100 leadership rejects the idea that transit workers should sacrifice to make up for failed political and economic decisions made on Wall St and in Albany.

Rally Honors Dr. King

TWU Local 100 observed the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an emotional rally outside the Sheraton Hotel, where contract negotiations were underway.

Some 800 members and friends braved the bitter cold to take part.

A parade of speakers reflected on Dr. King’s message of justice, and urged transit workers to stand firm.

Pastor Michael A. Walrond Jr. of the First Corinthian Baptist Church delivered an invocation and welcomed many of the speakers. The church choir presented an inspired musical program. Frankie D. Evans offered a dramatic reading of a memorable passage from one of Dr. King’s speeches that focused on peaceful civil disobedience to achieve legitimate goals.

MTA: 19 giveback demands and three zeroes

On January 9, The MTA presented Local 100 with 19 giveback demands.

These demands break down into six broad areas:
1.   Health benefits: Pay higher co-pays AND 10% of the premiums.
2.   Sick Leave Control: Anyone with less than 50% of their possible sick leave with be subject to sick calls and visits, will have to have doctor’s lines every time they are sick and will not be paid for the first day sick for each time out.
3.   Overtime: Payment only after you’ve worked 40 hrs in the week. Pay for only 8 hrs/day when out sick or on vacation.
4.   A lower top rate of pay for new CTAs
5.   Work rules: a dozen sweeping changes up to and including part-time B/Os and split runs in RTO.
6.   Five unpaid vacation days in the first two years.

What is management willing to give in wages in exchange for these givebacks? Three zeroes. They made this clear in their presentation at the bargaining table.

All told, these measures would cost the average transit worker thousands of dollars per year and significantly degrade the quality of work life.

The demand for unpaid furlough days raises questions about where these demands are coming from. Did anyone notice that state employees accepted furloughs as an alternative to layoffs, whereas transit workers already took the layoffs? These giveback demands do not take account of the real conditions and real history of transit. They are non-starters.

Click here to see the full document.

Our Union-wide Demands as of January 9

On January 9, TWU Local 100 presented management with a revised version of our union-wide demands.

The revision adds two important points.

One is for the MTA to join us in supporting legislation for the protection of an age 55 retirement pension benefit. For years, we were told that changes to pensions had to be agreed to by both sides at the bargaining table. And only then would they be addressed in Albany. Pataki even vetoed a pension bill on those grounds.

Now, however, forces in Albany are gearing up to make wholesale changes in pension law WITHOUT going to the bargaining table first. It is imperative that transit workers, whose physically taxing work often makes it impossible to work into old age, not get swept up in the storm and keep the age 55 retirement. If management wants to maintain safety and efficiency, it should join us on this question.

The other point was adopted by acclaim at our December 3 Mass Membership Meeting. This is that a successful conclusion of a contract should include bringing back laid-off Local 100 members. Those layoffs were an act of hostage-taking, not of austerity, and it is high time to bring back the small number of members who are still out in the cold.

To see the full list of demands, click here.

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