Union Trial Looms for Transport Workers VP Amid Allegations

Recent records indicate that the Vice President of the Transport Workers Union is set to face a union trial on Friday. The allegations involve a bus driver who reportedly attempted to retaliate against another driver under dubious circumstances.

Union documents reveal that John Paul Patafio, who serves as the VP for TWU Local 100, is embroiled in a complex situation at a bus depot in Ridgewood, Queens. There are suggestions of a complicated love triangle involving multiple union members.

Patafio has called upon Gary Archibald, a bus driver and vice-president at the Fresh Pond Depot, to put an end to his alleged infidelity involving his wife, Canisha Catin Mitchell, and another driver, Loshana Welcome.

It seems that Patafio intervened after receiving a complaint from Archibald’s wife, which has now put him in the position of facing disciplinary charges himself.

The situation has escalated to the point where Patafio fears losing his position, claiming he is being penalized for attempting to act responsibly.

In a letter addressed to TWU leaders, Patafio expressed his concerns over Archibald’s actions, describing them as embarrassing for the union. He criticized Archibald for shifting blame instead of accepting responsibility.

Patafio mentioned that other female operators, including a relatively new member, might be reassigned to different depots, while Archibald has chosen to mix his personal and professional lives, which he feels is inappropriate given the delicate nature of the circumstances.

Archibald, however, filed his own complaint against Patafio shortly thereafter, claiming that Patafio’s actions were unwarranted.

In a memo, Mitchell expressed her discomfort, stating she learned about her husband’s alleged involvement with another driver upon returning to work. She described the situation as overwhelming and requested that the other driver cease her harassment.

Patafio contends that it is unprofessional for union leaders to engage in such tumultuous personal matters with union members.

Interestingly, Archibald acknowledged some confusion regarding the complaints he lodged against Patafio, indicating that he might have misinterpreted the situation as being personal rather than union-related.

Archibald has expressed that if he made mistakes, they should be out in the open, and he refuses to step down from his union duties as requested by Patafio.

He asserts that his personal struggles shouldn’t impact his professional responsibilities and pushed back against Patafio’s claims of coercion regarding his marital issues.

In a recent communication, a union advisor suggested that Patafio should prepare to face trial if he violates union protocols, reinforcing Archibald’s stance that Patafio lacked authority in this instance.

Former TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis had previously resigned amid unrelated allegations, as Patafio noted that Archibald’s situation adds to ongoing concerns within the union.

As of now, both Mitchell and Welcome have declined to comment when approached, and Archibald has not responded to inquiries for clarification.

A TWU Local 100 official stated that a whistleblower lawsuit has been initiated against Patafio, and this matter will proceed according to the union’s constitutional processes. The trial for Patafio is scheduled to take place on Friday.