TWU President John Samuelsen told Local 100 members to get ready for a major contract fight. Samuelsen made the comments Friday July 25th at Michael J. Quill Depot in the heart of Manhattan with Local 100 President John Chiarello.
Samuelsen told the packed crowd, comprised mainly of Local 100 Bus Operators and Mechanics, that the MTA may want to cut costs by eliminating positions and introducing part-time work.
“Let them try and screw with us,” Samuelsen said. “Let them try to take the Conductors off our trains. Let them try to implement part-time Bus Operators. You will see the TWU in full bloom, industrial trade union organizing at its best, because when they move against us, bus workers and subway workers will lock arms, and we will stick it up their arses like they’ve never seen stuck up before.”
Local 100’s contract with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority expires next year.
Chiarello told the large gathering that unity and member action will be necessary to secure a good contract.
“A fight has to be brought to the MTA, and to MTA CEO Janno Lieber,” he said. “There’s going to be a call to arms, a call to fight for a fair contract, and it begins with everybody.”
