Transit Union Leader Criticizes Governor Hochul
The president of a major transit union has lashed out at New York Governor Kathy Hochul, accusing her of being “ignorant” and wasting millions to portray herself as unyielding. He warned of an intense contract dispute, reminiscent of the 2005 strike that resulted in over 30,000 workers losing their jobs.
John Samuelson, the head of the Transport Workers Union (TWU), made his remarks on Friday as he prepares to renegotiate a contract with the MTA that lasts until May. Hochul oversees the Transportation Agency as governor.
Samuelson stated, “This upcoming contract fight will be one of the ugliest since the 2005 strike.” He represents over 150,000 union members nationwide, including about 40,000 in New York City.
“We’re going to invest significant funds to reveal the real Kathy Hochul. She’s not a Democrat supportive of unions; she’s a corporate Democrat at best,” he declared.
The conflict between the transit unions and the governor intensified in December when Hochul vetoed a bill that would have mandated a conductor alongside a driver for all subway trains, which the union claims poses safety risks.
“It’s immeasurably less safe—it’s ridiculous. This kind of ignorance is alarming,” Samuelson remarked.
A study from the Maron Institute analyzed 400 subway cars and found that only 6% required two crew members. However, Samuelson, a Brooklyn native and former MTA track worker, stressed that conductors are essential for safely evacuating trains during emergencies, referencing the 2022 subway attack.
“The conductor was the one who helped evacuate the train when a gunman opened fire,” he recalled.
The current MTA contract mandates a two-person crew rule, but transit leaders, including CEO Jano Lieber and Hochul, plan to eliminate this requirement during the upcoming contract negotiations.
“I’m convinced that Jano Lieber and Hochul will align with the company on very low wages,” he added, labeling the MTA chief as a “narcissist.”
Samuelson vowed, “We will spend millions to safeguard Local 100 and protect the livelihoods of New York City transit workers.”
In response, Hochul’s spokesman, Sean Butler, affirmed that Hochul has consistently supported transit officials. He noted, “She has achieved historic victories for worker safety and secured record investments for the MTA capital program, ensuring funding to keep the city functioning.”
Butler emphasized the importance of the collective bargaining process for discussing these issues constructively.
MTA Policy Director John J. McCarthy expressed optimism about collaborating with the union, mentioning, “More than 80 unions represent MTA employees, and we are eager to work together on improving wages, productivity, and service reliability.”
