Whether you are Active or Retired, if you move, remember to call us @ (718) 601-7100 to let us know your new address so we can update our database.

Local 106 partner New York Life will be hosting the first in a series of webinars on April 30th at 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. New York Life Financial Services Professional Vincent Giannivilgini has sent a five-minute video explaining what he will be discussing on April 30th. You must register to take part in the Webinar. Click the sign-up link to register to the webinars below:

11:00am Webinar register,

https://url.emailprotection.link/?bJMg7Tl5qasoySBT9ZRZLYfDGbkOgqu7coN0Oyz87ylk7Aen8dQw6DvRh-NqBcdv42zK-866H3LcS-Fr5FUl8bhKqHXPHf1ldxo7rEpgAnovWnq3FgNCODhMnSGmXCz1W

5:00pm Webinar register.

https://url.emailprotection.link/?bJMg7Tl5qasoySBT9ZRZLYfDGbkOgqu7coN0Oyz87ylkS7epc8Qnb4WrVKrbZHSEIsTpkEmvEH3FUGv_N5Rug42G49jpI3uvIX9vIweC9LiY4maLkU9_EsTH5iQ7_vb9P

Link to Vincent Giannivilgini speaking about your choices as you think about retiring

https://url.emailprotection.link/?b7hZ1c8pB-dZ22eQfsFSb3pT2pWvrjjV_LdjEAjU1JoH1HIRPmUzm3tCDNKKOgBmh6AXXp2SBGNbdmG154mrEJ6HlxSqtFJVr0HyJGNluU8USwlI_3CVv-jKd2Js81Rr017AawLSlEguWtlNf2o8m9PVCK_mynkIIVZP34O2WQQQ~

TSO-New York Life Representative

If you are about to retire call and make an appointment to discuss your investment options.

vgiannilivig@ft.newyorklife.com

Local 106 has secured a major victory in the New York State Supreme Court. The court ruled that the MTA cannot require operators of MTA vehicles responding to emergencies and/or disabled buses in restricted bus lanes to pay fines connected to Notices of Liability issued to the MTA.

This decision is an important win for transit workers who perform critical emergency and roadside response duties while keeping service moving safely and efficiently.

Also, we were in PERB this week and the judge ruled the MTA must impact bargain with the our Union over the the Bus Lane Bulletin issued on October 10, 2025.

Two big wins for TWU Local 106 in the last two days.

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 starting May 1, 2026!

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.

There is also a blood test that is conducted that looks for many different types of cancers. This test is conducted at a BioReference Lab. This test will cost you $30. See Inner Imaging Tests link above for more information.

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

Philip Valenti, President

If you are 55 years old and have already worked 25 years for the Transit Authority, then YES you are gambling with your pension. If you reach those two markers and die before retiring, your spouse will not get your pension for the rest of his/her life. Your spouse will get whatever you earned in the last 12 month X 3, that’s it! And you can thank Governor Kathy Hochul for that.

Working past the point when you could have retired is a gamble, which is why this pension bill is called “The Death Gamble”. If Governor Hochul had signed the Death Gamble Bill in 2024 or 2025 that would have given the spouse of an employee who died before retiring the same pension as if the employee had retired the day before their death.

A review of the total NYC Transit workforce over the last three years, has shown that there has only been a hand full of Transit employees that had died when they could have retired. This means the Death Gamble Bill in reality, comes at a minimal cost but Governor Hochul vetoed the Bill anyway.

We believe that Governor Hochul will NEVER sign a Transit Death Gamble Bill, which is why it’s impossible to support her for re-election and why you need to give serious consideration of retirement from Transit.

I want to reinforce something I have made clear many times over the years: management has 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.

That is the sick reality of how the Transit Authority is choosing to manage the workforce. Whether we agree with it or not is irrelevant—this is how they are enforcing discipline.

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

Local 106 President Phil Valenti took the stage alongside representatives from TWU Locals 225 and 1400, proudly representing both the TWU International and the TWU New York State Conference at a highly energized and well-attended re-election event in Nanuet.

Standing before a packed and enthusiastic crowd, President Valenti joined a lineup of speakers in delivering endorsement remarks, emphasizing the importance of electing Mike Lawler a person who understands and respects the contributions of working men and women. His message reinforced the vital role organized labor plays in keeping New York moving and the need for elected officials who stand shoulder to shoulder with union members.

Congressman Mike Lawler has consistently demonstrated that he is a true friend of labor—especially the TWU. From supporting issues that impact transit workers to recognizing the critical work our members perform every day, his record speaks for itself. The TWU stands firmly behind those who stand with us, and we do not forget the leaders who have our backs when it matters most.

Events like this highlight the strength, unity, and political voice of the TWU. When labor shows up together, we send a clear message: we are engaged, we are paying attention, and we will continue to support those who support working families.

Also in attendance and running for New York Attorney General was Saritha Komatireddy. President Valenti is expected to meet with Saritha in the near future to discuss issues important to Local 106 members and working families across the state.

Komatireddy is a tough-as-nails former federal prosecutor who served as a U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York, where she built a reputation for taking on complex cases and standing up for justice. Her experience and track record make her a serious candidate in the race for Attorney General.

There are no days off for the TWU as we work 24/7 for the good of our members and the people of New York.

All of our outstanding contracts are now officially in a holding pattern after management introduced a highly controversial proposal just as negotiations were nearing completion.

As a result of this development, management has also chosen to withhold the MSII contract—despite it being unrelated to the three Bus contracts currently under discussion.

We anticipate meeting with management again soon and will continue to push forward to reach fair and equitable agreements for all members.

Philip Valenti, President

TWU Local 106 President Philip Valenti, Vice President Joseph Betancourt, and Recording Secretary Jose DeJesus recently met with Nassau County Executive and candidate for Governor, Bruce Blakeman, to discuss the issues currently facing our members within the MTA.

During the meeting, Local 106 leadership spoke about the challenges impacting transit supervisors and the day-to-day realities of working within the MTA system. Mr. Blakeman also shared his outlook and vision for the future of New York State, including his thoughts on the direction of the MTA and how it affects both workers and the riding public.

This was the first meeting between Local 106 leadership and Mr. Blakeman. Both sides agreed to continue the conversation and plan to meet again in the months ahead to further discuss issues important to our members and the future of public transportation in New York.

Local 252 President Debra Hagan and Vice President Dan Busa joined Local 106 for this private meeting

TWU Local 252 recently took to the streets to protest their employer, Transdev—formerly known as Long Island Bus—due to stagnant contract negotiations and the union’s demand for improved working conditions.

Standing in solidarity with Local 252 were TWU Local 106 President Philip Valenti and Recording Secretary/Senior Legislative Director Jose DeJesus, along with TWU Local 100 President John Chiarello, TWU Local 1400 President Patrick Reynolds, and TWU International Secretary-Treasurer Jerome LaFragola. Each took time out of their busy schedules to support Local 252 President Debra Hagan and Vice President Dan Busa during this important demonstration.

The labor movement is strongest when unions stand together. We are confident that with the strong leadership of Local 252, the hard-working brothers and sisters at Transdev will secure the fair contract they deserve.