TWU leader threatens to block transit worker contract over concessions

The international president of the Transport Workers Union may refuse to sign off on TWU Local 100's final deal with the MTA for 40,000 transit workers if the terms are concessionary, the union leader, John Samuelsen, warned in a letter sent to Local 100 leadership Nov. 4 obtained by The Chief. 

Samuelsen sent the letter to Local 100 president John Chiarello after receiving the latest contract offer from the MTA, which Samuelsen said included demands for "enormous" concessions given up by the union. 

"For obvious reasons I'm more concerned than ever about the trajectory of bargaining," Samuelson wrote in the firey letter. "The very clear leverage that you had has evaporated." 

Samuelsen concluded the letter by noting a clause in the TWU's constitution that states every bargaining agreement "shall require the written approval" of the international president. Reached for comment on Monday, Samuelsen would not commit to signing off on a potential agreement, saying only that it was too early to say given that the deal is still being negotiated. 

"The international has had ongoing concerns about the contract situation at Local 100,” Samuelsen said."[Chiarello is] still at the table, he's still trying his best, and I think when we do get their people will be happy about it." 

It's the second such letter critical of Chiarello penned by Samuelsen that was subsequently leaked since bargaining with the MTA for a new contract began in the spring.  

Chiarello, also reached by phone on Monday, said the November letter was very similar to the scathing missive Samuelsen sent him in July about bargaining strategy disagreements.  

"I feel like I'm in a good position," he said. "I'm not worried because I'm going to get the best deal for my members." 

But Chiarello did express frustration with the MTA's negotiators, saying that "it feels like every time we get close, they move the goal line on me." 

The MTA declined to comment on ongoing negotiations.   

The authority has demanded concessions from Local 100 in bargaining including raising worker healthcare contributions to 12 percent, from the current 2 percent, and instituting $150 co-pays in its initial demands.

In his letter, Samuelsen warned about conceding on absenteeism rules. The MTA has made curbing chronic absenteeism a central part of its contract demands and has been playing hardball with the union by unilaterally cancelling a sick leave cash out program that benefited workers near retirement.

Chiarello made it clear that bargaining is ongoing and declined to provide a projected timeline for when the contract would be completed.

A senior Local 100 official with knowledge of contract negotiations said that bargaining with the MTA, including the concessions discussed, has been part of the "normal" process for the union.

"Every labor agreement contains concessions. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be an agreement," said the official, granted anonymity to speak candidly. "I don’t think I've seen a Local 100 contract without concessions."

The official called Samuelsen's intrusion an "absurdity."

"Chiarello is trying to negotiate a contract, trying to win a fair contract for his members and at the same time he has to contend with a rear guard from the international president," they added. "It just doesn't make any sense and I don't see how it's constructive."