The Long Island Rail Road strike did not happen overnight. It is the direct result of failed leadership from Kathy Hochul and an MTA administration that has allowed labor disputes across New York to spiral out of control.

For years, hardworking transit employees have continued to move this state while working without contracts, falling behind inflation, and watching management delay negotiations until frustration reached the breaking point. Instead of stepping in early to prevent a crisis, Governor Hochul stood on the sidelines while tensions grew throughout the transit system.

Now hundreds of thousands of commuters are paying the price.

The strike at the Long Island Rail Road is not just about one union or one contract dispute. It is a warning sign about the growing labor unrest spreading across New York under Hochul’s leadership. From the LIRR, to NYC Transit, to other public sector workers across the state, employees are tired of being ignored, disrespected, and forced to fight endlessly for fair contracts and basic recognition. We know firsthand how bad things have become. TWU Local 106 will be filing Bargaining in Bad Faith charges against the MTA after contracts that should have been settled months ago continue to be withheld while management plays games instead of negotiating honestly.

Governor Hochul claims to support labor but was nowhere to be found until after the unions walked off the job and went on strike. As New Yorkers we deserve a Governor that cares enough to get directly involved, not one that is hiding behind a curtain hoping everything just works out.

The reality is simple: strong leadership could have prevented this strike. Instead, Governor Hochul allowed the situation to deteriorate until New Yorkers woke up to a transportation disaster.

At a time when the MTA faces instability, operational concerns, staffing shortages, and declining morale, Albany should be working to restore confidence and stability — not fueling conflict through inaction.

New Yorkers deserve better than political speeches about supporting workers while labor relations crumble in real time.

Governor Hochul owns this crisis. And unless leadership changes, the labor unrest spreading across New York will only get worse.

Bruce Blakeman will win in November! Blakeman will fix the MTA and New York State!

Philip Valenti, President

June 11 2026 at 11:00 am – 4:30 pm

Clarence Ave Bronx, NY 10465 https://atnynyc.com/

ALL MEMBERS THAT ATTEND WILL RECEIVE A TRANSIT SUPERVISORS-TWU LOCAL 106 BASEBALL HAT.

*The Queens location was unavailable for the June meeting. The November meeting will be in Queens.

More information coming soon.

Click on REGISTER, to take part in this Webinar.

The TSO/TWU Local 106 Executive Council would like to wish a very Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms! Without all of you none of us would be here! We know the great sacrifices you all make for your families and on this special day we send our love and respect for all that you do!

We hope you have a great stress free day full of love and happiness!

The man who wears multiple hats, Jose DeJesus — Local 106 Recording Secretary/Senior Political Director and TWU New York State Conference Chairman — was down in Washington, DC meeting with U.S. Senators and Members of Congress from New York and across the country to discuss the needs of transit workers, especially those represented by our union and other TWU unions throughout America.

As Local 106 Recording Secretary/Senior Political Director and Chairman of the TWU New York State Conference, Jose has helped build the Conference into a powerful voice not only in Albany, but in Washington DC as well.

By meeting directly with U.S. Senators and Members of Congress from across the country, Jose continues to fight for the needs of transit workers, protect union jobs, and ensure the voices of our members the Supervisors are heard at every level of government.

On top of all that, during this important trip Jose still took the time to participate in the Quill Scholarship drawings at the International offices — a winner pulling the name for another winner.

Jose was accompanied on the trip by Rod Bailey of MTA Bus.

Local 106 is proud to stand with leadership that never stops fighting for working people.

After the Executive Council and Membership voted to approve the purchase of a second TSO Building in Queens, and following a two-year search for the right location, we found it in Flushing.

This investment in the future of our union will make it easier for members to access our offices and services. While we proudly own 5768 Mosholu Avenue in the Bronx, that location is in the far northeastern section of the Bronx, making travel difficult for many members. Parking in and around the area has also been a major challenge.

We expect to close on the building this summer. Before moving in, we will be making updates, improvements, and modifications to ensure the facility fully meets the needs of our membership and our union for years to come.

We know that being a Bus Maintenance Supervisor is one of the toughest jobs in the Transit Authority. We also know that if you send a bus into service that was previously redlined, or if there is any question about whether that bus is truly serviceable, and that bus is later involved in an accident, no manager in Transit will stand behind you.

That is why every supervisor must make sure that no bus is released into service unless it is 100% compliant with all Transit Authority safety policies and procedures.

If you are doing your job properly, acting in good faith, and are being harassed, pressured, or intimidated by management for refusing to release questionable equipment, I want to know about it immediately pvalenti@twu106.org. Document everything, protect yourself, and we will handle it.

Do not let a bus you released onto the road end up like this.

The MTA/NYC Transit Authority has made one thing very clear through its actions — supervisors are important. In fact, according to them, you are #1.

The problem is their definition of being #1 is very different from what you would expect.

When an employer spends over a year in contract negotiations with your union, and then because they do not get one of their demands suddenly goes into “review mode” — shutdown mode, stall mode, delay mode — they are sending a message to every supervisor about exactly what they think of you and your value to this Transit Authority.

Keep that in mind when you ask why you still have not received a wage increase since 2023 or 2024.

As a union, we are preparing the next steps necessary to force these contracts forward. It should never have to come to this. But Transit leadership has chosen to make these negotiations personal, and in the process they are hurting the very people who keep this system running every single day.

This is their way of showing what they think about your service, your dedication, and your sacrifice to the Transit Authority.

Let that sink in and be guided accordingly!

Philip Valenti, President

Major Arbitration Win (MSII Pay): The union won a significant arbitration case ensuring an MSII (Maintenance Supervisor II) receives the correct rate of pay, including full back pay owed since the date of promotion

Supreme Court Bus Lane Fine Win: The New York State Supreme Court ruled that the MTA cannot require operators of MTA vehicles to personally pay fines for Notices of Liability incurred while responding to emergencies or disabled buses in restricted bus lanes. This follows a lawsuit filed by Local 106 to stop the MTA from making supervisors foot the bill for actions required by their job.

PERB Impact Bargaining Win: The Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) ruled that the MTA must impact bargain with Local 106 regarding the effects of the Bus Lane Bulletin issued on October 10, 2025.

Ongoing Fight Against Anti-Union Actions,

BCC Improper Practice Charges: Operational Interference: In April 2026, Local 106 filed PERB charges against a BCC Superintendent and NYC Transit for a “historic violation” of dispatcher work. The Superintendent allegedly directly interfered with dispatcher duties by making operational adjustments to buses in service—tasks that have been the exclusive jurisdiction of BCC Dispatchers for nearly 60 years.

Misapplication of Bus Lane Laws: Despite a state law (S6815) signed by Governor Hochul to protect workers, Local 106 is continuing lawsuits to ensure reimbursement for past fines and to address a broader set of penalties involving bike lanes and double-parking.

Contractual Issues: Local 106 is navigating tough negotiations regarding MSII contracts and has warned of potential PERB charges if the MTA continues to hold up contracts to apply pressure during bargaining.

Local 106 leadership remains committed to putting members first and pushing back against management decisions that negatively impact working conditions.

Dates: May 18^th – May 21^st  and May 24^th

All tickets come with a $15 voucher and a NY Yankees Hoodie Purchase Link:

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