Brooklyn, NY – On April 9, 2026 — Thirty-six days before the current contract between TWU Local 100 and the MTA expires, leadership from both parties gathered at the union hall in Brooklyn to exchange demands and formally begin contract negotiations.
After citing the especially snowy winter we moved New York through and the continuous physical attacks on members, President John V. Chiarello summed up one aspect of our contract demands.
“Your transit workforce is stuck in an affordability crisis.” said Chiarello to officials from the MTA. “We’re seeking substantial wage increases for our labor.”
At the center of the table representing Local 100 were President Chiarello, Recording Secretary Shirley Martin and Administrative Vice President Alexander Kemp. They were surrounded by the vice presidents of each department and Senior Advisors Tony Utano and Tommy Lenane.
The members of the union’s Executive Board sat behind the Top 11 along with other members and staff in a display of unified strength, and officers from TWU Local 106, ATU 726, ATU 1056, ATU 1179, ATU 1181 and SMART (LIRR) were also present to show solidarity, bringing the size of the union’s crowd to well over 100.
On the opposite side of the table sat Demetrius Crichlow, President of New York City Transit, along with six others from the MTA, including MTA Labor Relations Chief Anita Miller and Chief Financial Officer Jai Patel, among others.
Also in attendance was John Samuelsen, President of the Transport Workers Union of America, who delivered opening remarks to set the tone for the gathering and pledge the International’s support.
“We will fight, and fight like no other union in New York City is capable of fighting to defend our members and this contract,” said Samuelsen.
The new contract will affect more than 40,000 members over 60 job titles.
In preparation for the contract kickoff, the union complied in preparing 35 unique demands in accordance with the local bylaws that govern the process. Beginning in February, demands from members were heard and accepted at each of the division’s monthly membership meetings. Every demand was received and recorded by division officers in their meeting books.
The demands were then compiled and reviewed on March 7 at the Contract Policy Committee (CPC) meeting. The CPC consists of the Top 4 plus VPs, all division officers, and over 50 executive board members.
After careful deliberation, the CPC delivered a basic proposal that addressed the needs of the entire bargaining unit. The proposal was voted on and approved by the executive board at the conclusion of the CPC meeting.
It was ultimately reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee on March 31 and ceremoniously handed over to the MTA today.
The MTA declined to provide employer demands.
“There’s a lot of experience at this table and whole lot of determination,” said Chiarello. “I’d like to say it’s not going to be a controversial contract but I’m a realist.”
