Confiscating Keys! Hallway firings!! Denying Pay!!

‘Democracy’ has hit the ground running at Local 100. First it was searching cars, now its confiscating keys!!


In its first two weeks, Samuelsen administration officials have approached some staff demanding that they surrender keys they use to get into their offices!! And for no good reason, except to humiliate them.


It's true that some people have been fired in the hallways and pay is being withheld for several others despite the fact that they have worked the hours.


These acts of humiliation have usually come with no explanation or with the announcement of some title, even if unelected, as has frequently been the case.

Arbitration Award Deadline Is here!!

Today is the deadline for the MTA to appeal the decision by the Courts, issued in December, upholding the Award issued by the Arbitration Panel since August. The MTA had 30 days which was extended by the weekend and the MLK holiday. All indication is that they will give up on appealing the decision. From the beginning the MTA knew that it had little or no legs to stand on legally. Their appeal was designed to prolong the pain and destabilize Local 100. With John Samuelsen elected, the MTA (and the media) accomplished one of their objectives. We will be getting a settlement of 11.3% plus a cap on Health care contributions at 40hrs which increases the raise significantly. Given the economy, that is a big victory, anyone that tells you otherwise is either confused or dishonest or both.

Hired and fired!!

Darlene Lawson, Hired and fired!! Placed on staff by John Samuelsen, Darlene Lawson, the former Recording Secretary at TWU Local 100 lasted one whole week! Lawson’s hiring was part of Samuelsen’s project to “unify” and “heal” Local 100, or so he said. Seems that Samuelsen had been courting her for quite some time. Took him one week in office to decide that he had no more use for this courtship and to get rid of her. She had already put in her resignation to the TA, so she is out on the street.

Check out NY City Hall News

Apart from being on Samuelsen’s payroll these days, Arthur Schwartz is apparently also working on Claude Forte’s (DC37’s Local 375) campaign against Lillian Roberts. This elections is coming up in the next month or two. Arthur and Claude are quoted criticizing Lillian Roberts for opposing Bloomberg in the recent mayoral elections on the grounds that it would hurt DC37 in their next round of upcoming negotiations set for this summer. It should be noted that UFT, which stayed out of the mayoral elections, has not been faring any better with Bloomberg than DC37. Interestingly enough it was Lillian’s nephew, Ivan, who was Samuelsen’s lawyer in the 2006 Local 100 elections and it seems that her nephew referred Samuelsen to Larry Cary, a former partner of Ivan’s. Cary is now Samuelsen’s lawyer and new Local 100 General Counsel. Arthur is now on Samuelsen’s payroll.

Seat for Sale!! Seat for Sale!!

Word is that John Samuelsen has been pressuring CTA Anne Hallahan hard to withdraw from running for Chair of the Stations Cleaners Section. According to Samuelsen, Anne owes him since he let her keep her job in the Union. In contention for the position is Marvin Holland, John samuelsen’s friend. Marvin, you might recall, pulled out of the last elections when it was discovered that he had failed to maintain ‘continuous good standing’ for one year, which is required to run for office in Local 100. Marvin did not know how to do that, but wants to represent those that did. Now it looks like there will be ONE vote on who will be Chair of Stations Cleaner and that vote will be cast by “Mr Democracy” himself, John Samuelsen. You can’t make this up. Stay tuned.