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

New from Attorney Jordan Ziegler, his third book in the series of what benefits might be available if injured at work or if you are disabled from working.

The Red Book, on Social Security Disability, could apply to all workers, regardless of access to Workers Compensation or Civil Service Public Sector Retirement System Disability Pensions.

Below are PDFs of the three books in the collection. The Black, Blue and now Red.  Sort of “What’s black, blue, and red all over.

Social Security Disability: https://online.fliphtml5.com/jrbil/oawp/

Civil Service Disability: https://online.fliphtml5.com/jrbil/caiw/

Worker’s Comp English: https://online.fliphtml5.com/jrbil/yajs/

Each Special Event Ticket includes:

– A New York Yankees Union Hoodie

– $15 New York Yankees Food & Beverage Voucher*

Item Pickup:

Instructions for item pickup will be sent to buyers prior to the event.

Ticket price displayed includes a Sales and Use Tax of 8.875 percent. Offer valid for select, non-premium seating areas. Offer is subject to availability, has no cash value, is not valid on previously purchased tickets and is not good in conjunction with any other promotional offer.

Please note that all sales are final and there are no refunds or cancellations.

When purchasing tickets or ticket plans on yankees.com and associated websites, you are limited to a specified number of tickets or ticket plans for each event (also known as a “ticket limit”). The Yankees reserve the right to cancel any or all orders and tickets/ticket plans without notice to you if you exceed the posted limits. This includes orders associated with the same name, e-mail address, billing address, credit card number or other information.

*New York Yankees Food & Beverage Voucher valid at any fixed or portable concession location in Yankee Stadium located on the general concourse, for food and beverage only. Just have your New York Yankees Food & Beverage Voucher scanned at one of the redemption locations. No cash/credit back for unused voucher. Voucher valid only for the date printed on the game ticket.

­To book a group of 10+ tickets for Union Nights, to inquire about alternative game dates for your group, or for more information, please contact the Yankees Group Sales & Service Department via email at groups@yankees.com.

https://www.gofevo.com/group/Uniongames?ref=Inzerelli

Executive Council Approves CT Body Scan Benefit for Active Members

The Executive Council has approved a new health benefit for all active members in good standing. Members will be eligible to receive a CT body scan through Inner Imaging.

The TSO has been successful in negotiating a deeply discounted price for a “body scan” — an exam which includes four tests: for the heart, the lungs, the abdomen, and the pelvic area. While the price for this full body exam is approximately $850, the TSO has been able to reduce the price for our ACTIVE members to $375. For active members, the TSO will subsidize $200 of that cost. Therefore, active members will pay only $175 for this members-only body scan.
The $200 subsidy will be provided once in a five year span to active members.

For just $175, members will have access to this incredible preventive test that could potentially detect serious health issues early and may even save your life.

The average time spent at the office is less than 30 minutes, making it a quick and convenient screening for busy members.

The services provided by Inner Imaging are also available to family members, although family members would be responsible for the full cost of $375.

Link to the Inner Imaging website: https://www.innerimagingnyc.com

We expect to have this service in place within the next 2 weeks and will let you know when you can call for an appointment.

Philip Valenti, President

We are very proud to announce that the Transportation Columbia Association will be honoring our Vice President, Joseph Betancourt with a Special Recognition Award at this years Columbia Association Dinner.

The Transportation Columbia Association of New York is a fraternal organization representing Italian -American professionals in the transit industry promoting heritage, harmony, and professional networking. Led by President Paul Gallo, the group hosts events, including an annual Dinner Dance, to support its members and advance the industry.

Come join us as we celebrate Joe and all that he has accomplished in his career working for Transit. The Ceremony will be on September 25th at Sirico’s in Brooklyn. Call Paul Gallo @ (718) 694-5804 for tickets for the dinner and ceremony.

We are very sorry to announce the passing of MSII (Lighting) Daniel Kouamenan.

For the first time ever, TWU Local 106 sent representatives to the TWU Annual Working Women’s Committee held in Philadelphia.

Michelle Gonzalez and Renita Horton did an outstanding job representing our Local and the hardworking women Transit Supervisors of New York. Their participation ensures that the voices, experiences, and leadership of our members are heard and recognized on a national level.

Local 106 is proud to have Michelle and Renita representing our membership and continuing to strengthen the role of women in the labor movement.

We still have not received the draft MSII contract proposal due to President Crichlow requesting a full briefing on all contracts before any unions negotiations move forward.

On March 13th I along with the SSSA met with President Crichlow and his team to hear his proposal of changes to the Bus Command Center (BCC). A few days later we sent a counter proposal. As of now we have a follow up meeting on April 10th to discuss this BCC issue.

I know everyone can use a wage increase right now but I don’t control the pace of negotiations.

I have a tentative date in mind for a June General membership meeting but depending how things go over the next few weeks that meeting may be moved up to April or May.

Thank you for your patience, PV.

As Transit management tries to move the Bus Command Center to model the Rail Control Center, some very basic but extremely important differences are not being realized.

Here is what is being overlooked.

At New York City Transit, the New York City Transit Rail Control Center and the New York City Transit Bus Command Center are structured differently because the systems they manage behave completely differently.

1. Rail is a Closed System

Subways operate in a controlled environment.

• Trains run on fixed tracks
• Movement is governed by signals and switches
• The control center can directly control train movement

If something happens, Rail Control can:

• Hold trains
• Reroute trains
• Control track switches
• Shut off power

Everything happens within infrastructure owned and controlled by transit.

2. Buses Operate in an Open System

Buses operate in public traffic with constant outside variables.

They deal with:

• Traffic congestion
• Accidents
• Construction
• Police activity
• Weather
• Passenger incidents
• Blocked bus stops

Because of this, the Bus Command Center cannot physically control buses the way rail control can control trains.

Instead, they rely on:

• GPS tracking
• Radio communication
• Field supervisors
• Depot dispatchers

3. Why Dispatchers on the Road Are Critical

A rail controller can move trains from a computer.
A bus controller cannot move traffic or clear a street.

For buses, many problems require physical intervention, such as:

• Turning buses around
• Setting up detours
• Filling service gaps
• Handling incidents
• Managing crowding

That’s why road dispatchers and supervisors are essential in a bus system.

Without them:

• Buses bunch
• Headways collapse
• Routes break down
• Operators are left without guidance

4. Technology Doesn’t Replace Field Operations

Systems like:

• BusTrek
• OMNY

give management information, but they don’t fix service problems on the street.

A computer can see a bus is late.
Only a dispatcher can correct the service.

5. The Big Operational Misconception

Management sometimes tries to treat the Bus Command Center like the Rail Control Center, assuming centralized monitoring can replace field dispatching.

But buses are not trains.

Subways are controlled by signals and infrastructure.
Buses are controlled by people in the field managing real-world conditions.

Bottom line:
The Rail Control Center controls the system directly, while the Bus Command Center coordinates people who control the system on the street.

That’s why removing road dispatchers and relying only on centralized monitoring often creates service problems instead of solving them.

In a significant development for rail workers, a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) appointed under the authority of President Donald Trump has issued findings supporting key positions put forward by the unions representing employees of the Long Island Rail Road.

The Presidential Emergency Board, established under the Railway Labor Act to help resolve disputes that could disrupt national transportation, reviewed the ongoing contract negotiations between labor representatives and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

After examining testimony and evidence from both sides, the Board’s recommendations sided with the unions on several critical issues, including wage adjustments and workplace protections. The findings reinforce the unions’ position that LIRR employees deserve fair compensation and contract terms that reflect the essential role they play in keeping the region moving.

The decision.