Historic Violation of Dispatcher Work at the NYC Bus Command Center

For the first time in the 58-year history of the New York City Bus Command Center, a Superintendent has taken it upon himself to make adjustments to buses operating on the road—work that has always been the exclusive responsibility of Bus Command Center Dispatchers.

The individual involved, a BCC Superintendent whose initials are W.T., directly interfered with dispatcher duties by making operational adjustments to buses in service. For nearly six decades, these adjustments have been performed exclusively by BCC Dispatchers, whose job it is to monitor service, regulate bus movement, and maintain system reliability.

This action represents a clear violation of the long-standing jurisdiction and operational authority of the dispatchers who staff the Command Center. The integrity of the Bus Command Center depends on maintaining clear roles and responsibilities, and dispatcher work must remain dispatcher work.

I have spoken to our Attorney and we will be filing PERB charges against the Superintendent and the NYC Transit Authority. TWU Local 106 will not allow the erosion of established work jurisdictions that have been respected for nearly 60 years. Protecting the duties and authority of Bus Command Center Dispatchers is essential to maintaining both fair labor practices and the safe, efficient operation of the bus system.

Philip Valenti, President