The Chief-TWU Local 106 leadership reelected unopposed

First sweep in union’s 72-year history

BY CARTER MYERS-BROWN

In a first for the Transit Supervisors Organization, the union’s entire leadership has been reelected without opposition, union officials announced following nominations held Feb. 12.

All 21 officers on Transport Workers Union Local 106’s executive board secured another term after no challengers were nominated, marking the only uncontested leadership election in the union’s 72-year history. The officers, led by president Philip Valenti, will begin their second term on April 1.

Union leaders described the outcome as a sign of member confidence during a period of ongoing workplace and operational challenges across New York City transit.

“Being reelected unopposed is not simply procedural – it is an endorsement,” Valenti said in a statement. “It signals that the membership stands united behind the current leadership and the progress that has been made.”

TWU Local 106 represents transit supervisors responsible for overseeing daily operations throughout the city’s subway and bus systems. 

The union has recently clashed with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority over safety and operational concerns, particularly surrounding a new digital two-way radio system that supervisors say has repeatedly failed to allow reliable communication between dispatchers and bus operators.

Union officials have argued that technical problems and staffing changes – including the relocation of dispatchers to a centralized command center – have weakened frontline oversight, while MTA leadership has disputed those claims. Valenti previously described the system as a “disaster,” arguing that communication failures can affect both worker safety and daily service operations.

Looking ahead to the new term, Valenti said to The Chief on Monday that his top legislative priority is passage of the Death Gamble bill, which would give full pension benefits to the families of transit workers who die before retiring but worked past their retirement eligibility.

The bill has been on the table for several years but was vetoed by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2024. Valenti also plans to push for pension changes affecting MTA bus supervisors, who remain in what he described as an inferior retirement system.

“The number one goal is getting the Death Gamble bill passed,” Valenti said. “Right behind that is fighting to move our bus supervisors into a Tier 6 pension. I’m going to do everything I can over the next four years to make that happen.”

Valenti added that the union will also focus on strengthening membership, expanding organizing efforts within the transit system and completing ongoing contract negotiations during the next term.