MTA chairman and CEO Janno Lieber has committed an unfair labor practice in the current contract negotiations with TWU Local 100 and the union must hold him and the MTA accountable.
Continue readingAuthor: Ben Valdes
Where’s our $25,000 hazard pay?
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.
Continue readingHow do you spell “racist”? M-T-A
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%.
It’s time to pressure your elected reps into demanding ACTUAL negotiations for the MTA to have the right to use cameras in our operating cabs! (It’s not just the R211s anymore)
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.
Continue readingHow the MTA treats their heroes (by denying FMLA for childcare)
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
Mass Transit = Mass Transmission 🦠
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
No MTA, Employee Safety is NOT Your Priority Because Actions Speak Louder Than Words!!!
When you look up the word “priority” in the dictionary, you will find that it means “a thing that is regarded as more important than another.” In an email to supervision regarding an upcoming Coronavirus online information session being held by the MTA, the phrase “The safety of our employees is our first priority” was used. Every time I hear an MTA spokesperson or member of upper management use that phrase I feel a burning rage inside my chest because this is the biggest lie they will tell you.
Mayor de Blasio’s Potentially Deadly Balancing Act
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
How TWU Local 100 Suppresses the Vote
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
Letter to the Commissioner of the NYS Dept. of Labor (14 pages)
NYS Department of Labor
Building 12
W.A. Harriman Campus
Albany, NY 12240
April 22, 2019
Dear Commissioner Reardon,
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