Let me take a minute of your time to give you a quick update on where we are with the MaBSTOA, Queens and MTA Bus contracts. We have not had a meeting with management in a while, primarily because of management’s summer vacation schedules. We expect negotiations to get moving again shortly. However, as I have said several times already, what caused these contracts to be dragged out: management’s demands regarding the Bus Command Center (BCC).

Those demands were unexceptable and we could not agree to the proposed changes they wanted.

As soon as negotiations resume and there is something meaningful to report, we will keep the membership informed.

We are ready to get back to the table. We are ready to negotiate. But we will not agree to unacceptable demands just to get a contract signed.

Philip Valenti, President

Last week, we met with the Authority to discuss the draft contract MOU that was sent to us several weeks ago. Unfortunately, the meeting itself was delayed because of scheduled management vacations.

When we received the MOU, we were extremely disappointed. Several items that had been part of our negotiations and, in our opinion, had previously been agreed to were removed from the draft agreement. We went into last week’s meeting prepared to make the case for putting those provisions back into the MOU.

Unfortunately, the meeting was disappointing. On many of the issues we wanted restored, management refused to move from its current position. There are, however, a few remaining items that are still under discussion, and we expect to receive an updated MOU sometime this week.

Once again, scheduled vacations on the management side are likely to slow the process down. While we cannot control management’s calendar, we can control how hard we continue to push—and we will continue pushing.

We will stay on top of this process, continue pressing the Authority, and work to get the MSII contract wrapped up as soon as possible.

Philip Valenti, President

Governor Hochul has twice vetoed the Transit Death Gamble Bill—first in 2024 and again in 2025.

The TSO took a bill that had been sitting in Albany for years without gaining any real traction and turned it into a legislative priority. We fought to get the Death Gamble Bill through the New York State Senate and Assembly, and twice it passed both houses—only to reach Governor Hochul’s desk and be vetoed.

For transit workers who continue working beyond the point when they could retire, these vetoes are not simply political decisions—they can have devastating consequences. Every day a transit worker continues to work, they are putting their lives on the line while also facing the possibility that their pension benefits could be jeopardized if they die before retirement.

The Death Gamble Bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation ever created for New York’s transit workforce. It was designed to protect the pensions and families of workers who dedicate their careers to keeping New York moving.

Yet Governor Hochul vetoed it twice.

That tells transit workers everything they need to know about where she stands when it comes to protecting the men and women who risk their lives every day to keep the system running.

Transit workers deserve better. Their families deserve better. And their pensions deserve protection.

$4 BILLION FOR MAMDANI — BUT NOTHING FOR TRANSIT WORKERS?

All of this nonsense becomes even more outrageous when you look at where Governor Kathy Hochul is willing to find billions of dollars.

Hochul just delivered another $4 BILLION in state assistance to New York City, helping Mayor Zohran Mamdani close his budget gap. That brings the total new state assistance to nearly $8 billion over two years.

Yet when it comes to Transit Workers who have spent decades working dangerous, demanding jobs and putting their retirement security on the line, suddenly there is no money.

Think about that.

Hochul can find $4 billion to help bail out New York City’s budget, but she can’t find the resources to protect the retirement security of the Transit Workers who keep this city moving every single day.

Transit Workers aren’t asking for a handout.

They’re asking for fair treatment, retirement security and protection for the people who have dedicated their careers to serving New York.

Governor Hochul has made her priorities clear.

Billions for City Hall.
Excuses for Transit Workers.

That’s not a budget problem.

That’s a priority problem.

Philip Valenti, President

This appears to be the new way the Transit Authority is doing business with its workers.

If you are a Transit Supervisor and are caught violating the rules, understand this: they may not care how many years you have with the Authority, how good your work record has been, or how many years you have served without discipline. The days of mercy and making deals appear to be disappearing. They are coming for your head.

We have seen this attitude escalating over the past two years, but yesterday’s disciplinary arbitration case made it crystal clear just how aggressively the Authority is doing business with its unions and employees today.

So take this as a warning: always do the right thing, follow the rules, and protect your record to the best of your ability. If management believes you have committed a serious offense, you should assume they will pursue the most severe penalty—including termination.

Be guided accordingly. Protect yourself. Protect your career. And never give them a reason to come after you.

All MaBSTOA and Queens TA Dispatchers this is a reminder:

You are entitled to one hour Administrative Time every week. This does not mean you get to go home early or come in late. This is the time for you to take care of any administrative duties are written in the 2007-2010 contract.

You are entitled to this time, so take it every week.

Philip Valenti, President

Yesterday, VP Joe Betancourt and I met with the highest levels of Senior Management and Labor Relations to discuss the MSII contract.

Without getting into all of the details of those discussions, we are sorry to tell you that at this time we will not be able to secure a contract that allows MSII’s to cash out more than 120 sick days when retiring.

This is something that we are extremely angry about. However, our responsibility is to make sure that you know what is happening, so you can make an informed decision that is best for you and be paid as much as possible for being a good employee and not using your sick time.

Under the current MSII agreement, employees receive a lump sum payment of one-half of their accumulated sick bank for up to 240 days (for a maximum payment of 120 sick days).

IF YOU CURRENTLY HAVE 70% OR MORE OF YOUR POTENTIAL SICK TIME AND ARE ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE, HERE IS WHAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER:

Write a G-2 and request to return to your former civil service title of MSI in the SSSA.

Under the SSSA contract, there is no 120-day cap on sick-time cash-outs. If you accumulated 70% or more of your potential sick time, you may be able to cash out 70% of your sick balance upon retirement under the SSSA’s contract. We know that this is not something that some of you may want to do, but this is your only option right now to maximize your sick cash-out upon retirement (provided you have 70% or more of your potential sick balance).

IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE, HERE IS WHAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER:

If you retire as an MSII, all of your sick time above 240 days is currently “use it or lose it”. You should consider using your sick time rather than leaving it on the table when you retire.

Why work when you’re sick, when you can be paid to use your sick time!

For years, management has emphasized the importance of employee availability and encouraged employees not to use their accumulated sick time. But when it comes to retirement and being paid for your unused accumulated sick time, those same managers tell you, “Thank you for your service, but tough shit! you lose”!

We are giving you this warning NOW because we want you to know this opportunity may not be available for much longer.

Know your options. Understand what your retirement benefits are worth. And make the decision that is best for you.

Philip Valenti
President

As a member of the Transit Supervisors Organization–TWU Local 106, you and your family are entitled to a wide range of free legal services and benefits.

To access these services, simply contact Feldman Kramer & Monaco (FKM) and let them know that you are a member of TWU Local 106.

Once FKM verifies your Local 106 membership, you will have access to numerous legal benefits and services that could otherwise cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars if obtained independently.

Take advantage of this valuable benefit available to you and your family through your Local 106 membership. Start by calling FKM @ (800) 832-5182 and see the plan below.

TWU Local 106 knows where it stands. We know that Bruce Blakeman must win the governorship this November. Otherwise, we, along with the other unions throughout the Transit Authority, will be forced to deal with four more years of Kathy Hochul and her MTA leadership team.

Our members deserve a governor who respects working men and women, supports public safety, and understands the challenges facing New York’s Transit workforce.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL OR TEXT US: (845) 866-8138

AGAIN! I want to reinforce something I have made clear many times over the years: There is zero tolerance for anyone caught sleeping while on duty. This is especially an issue during the overnight hours between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

As supervisors, we are often not the ones engaging in this behavior—but that does not matter. The problem lies with those we supervise, and management holds us directly accountable for their actions. If an employee is found sleeping, management treats the supervisor as if they were the one caught.

I suggest that at the start of every shift, everyday, you remind every employee under your command that if they are found sleeping while on duty, they will be immediately removed from service. If you discover an employee sleeping during their shift, remove them from service without exception. Make this a daily practice and part of the your regular duties.

If you are tied up with work and someone under your supervision disappears to find a place to sleep, you will still be held responsible. You will take the hit.

It comes down to this: You or Them.

Do not allow the employees you supervise to put you in a position where you are facing discipline because of their poor decisions. Take whatever steps are necessary to prevent it from happening—even if that means requiring employees to report in every 30 minutes for check-ins.

Protect yourself and stay in control of your operation at all times.

Philip Valenti, President

The Local 106 Working Women’s Committee, is again collecting school supplies for some less fortunate kids in our area. If you would like to contribute, see the flyer below for details.