As of Sept 1, 2022 it will be exactly 2.5 years since the first case of the novel coronavirus was reported in New York City. Transit workers have not seen a dime of hazard pay to date, and the longer we wait the less likely it will be that we get anything at all. Grocery store workers, transit workers in other cities, and now healthcare workers in New York State have all received hazard pay.
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The MTA is looking to pull the old “okey doke” on NYC Transit riders. While it is not uncommon for the MTA to threaten service cuts in the face of a budget deficit, what they are attempting to do this time is incredibly bold, hypocritical, and unfortunately unnoticed by the mainstream media. The MTA is threatening service cuts (as well as fare hikes) on NYC subways and buses, while simultaneously planning the largest service increase in Long Island Railroad history of 41%.
Everyone knows the Taylor Law as the law which prohibits public employees from going on strike. However, the Taylor Law (officially known and the Public Employees Fair Employment Act) also demands that most aspects of employment, with few exceptions, be bargained with the union in order to fairly balance the state’s need to ensure the continuation of essential services with the employee’s right to an equitable relationship with the employer.
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This week the MTA decided to label the majority of our positions as “emergency responders.” No, not for the purposes of giving us hazard pay, unlimited sick leave, a 22 and out pension, or even the right to skip the line at grocery stores. No, they did it out of pure selfishness for the sole purpose of denying workers job-protected leave to care for their children during the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading
Yes, Governor Cuomo, President Trump is doing a horrible job at leading us through this crisis and you are becoming the face of the response effort for the nation. It has become clear that the president’s main concern is the economic recovery rather than mitigating the effects of the health crisis. Continue reading
As many of you know, last week I led the charge against the MTA’s policy of not being allowed to wear face masks to protect ourselves against the coronavirus. Check out the story Continue reading
As you may know, we at Progressive Action challenged the conduct of the 2018 TWU Local 100 elections. We did this on the basis that many people did not receive a ballot, while also receiving campaign literature from the Stand United slate, who currently occupies many elected union offices including the presidency and thus controls the balloting procedures. Continue reading
NYS Department of Labor
Building 12
W.A. Harriman Campus
Albany, NY 12240
April 22, 2019
Dear Commissioner Reardon,
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Hi, I’m Ben Valdes and I am running for train operator chair on the Progressive Action slate with Tramell Thompson who is running for president of TWU Local 100. I think it’s pretty clear to any train crew member that the MTA doesn’t care at all about our health and safety. While they have no moral obligation to care about our well being, they do have a legal one and I intend to make sure they fulfill that obligation. In addition, anyone who is currently on union release time to do safety walks is doing a terrible job of holding the MTA to the letter of the law to protect us!!!!!
PROGRESSIVE ACTION MAGAZINE 