ONCE AGAIN IT'S ELECTION TIME

Brothers and Sisters Once again it's election time. There will be many candidates going around asking for your vote. My advice if it means anything to MaBstoa, is to choose or reelect reps who fight for the interests of the Labor movement. In our line of work experience is the only thing that will keep us strong. Politics in our line of work exists, but make no mistake about it, we all drink from the same cool aid. We all want a stronger Union, we all want the best contracts, we all want a person who will fight the abuser's.  1)'Who is the real fighter and defender of labor? Is it someone new without experience but a willingness to fight the bosses? Only if they come in at the ground floor and learn their craft. 2) Is a College degree necessary to be a rep? I think not, but I do believe that if you feel a degree is necessary, maybe you already think you're better than the members you are serving. 3) Should a rep be familiar with the contract, work rules and some laws? I believe that's a must, and coming in at the ground floor is essential to gradually sharpening those skills. In the upcoming months you will be approached by Inexperience guided by rumors and versions of truths. I have read the fliers, the articles in the papers and the nonsense that perpetrate from the mouths of the insincere. Prosperity may not always take a village, but it sure doesn't take the village idiot. I support the reelection of John Samuelsen! 

How To Check If I Am Receiving The Correct Amount Of Differential

How to check whether I am receiving the correct amount of differential Step 1: Look at one of your paystubs just prior to your Injury on Duty. Look for the amount of gross earnings (say $2400 per two weeks) Look for the amount of taxes paid, this includes federal, state, and local income taxes, social security and medicare (say $800).  This amount will vary depending on your exemptions and family situation. Calculate the percentage taken out of your gross earnings for taxes.  In this case: 30%. Step 2: Calculate how much your gross earnings would be over a 40 hour week. Some people always work 40 hours per week, so for them this would be simply half of their biweekly pay stub (in the example $1200/week) But others regularly work overtime, have built-in overtime, or receive night differentials.  In that case, you simply multiply 40 times your hourly rate just before the date of your injury.  In our example we assume a fictional rate of $30/hour, so the gross earnings over 40 hours would be 40x30=$1200. (Note: if you were injured as the result of an assault, you are eligible for differential over your run pay.  In that case you can skip Step 2&3 and just use the amount of your gross earnings prior to your injury.) Step 3: Calculate your net take home pay over 40 hours Your net take home pay over 40 hours is your gross pay minus taxes.  In the example, you would take 30% of $1200 or $400 out for taxes.  Net take home pay would be $800. Step 4: Check how much comp you were being paid for what period If you were paid comp for a 100% disability, your weekly comp benefit will be $792.07 effective July 1, 2012.  As you will see, in the case of our example, there will only be $8 dollars differential owed.  In many instances, our members are not owed any differential if they receive full comp. However, very often members get comp for only 50% or 20% of the full amount.  The comp amount may also change from time to time.  You need to make a list of all periods and amount of comp received.  In our example, we will assume that the comp benefit was $500 per week throughout the period of disability. Step 5:  Calculate your differential owed. Differential is the difference between what you would take home net over 40 hours minus the comp received.  In our example: $800 (net take home pay) minus comp ($500) equals $300 per week net differential.   However, you need to pay taxes over your differential income.  Therefore, the Authority will “gross up” your net differential for an amount called the “gross differential.”  In our example, we found the member paid 30% of gross income in taxes.  The Authority will use this number to gross up the differential.  In our example, the Authority will pay a gross differential of about $428 and then deduct 30% of that amount for taxes ($128), for a net differential of $300.  (Mind you that we were are working with estimates on taxes owed.  At the end of the year, when you file your tax return, it may turn out you owe less than 30% in combined taxes because your income was lower while you were on comp.) Step 6: Here’s the trick You now expect to receive a differential check for $300 every week (or rather $600 every two weeks), but in all likelihood you will not.  This is because after the Authority has established the differential amount, it will continue to take deductions for other matters just like it does from your regular pay check.   These include: health benefits contribution, pension contribution, union dues, 401(k) contributions, repayment of MCU or NYCERS loans, child support garnishments etc.  As a result, there may not be much differential left as a cash benefit.  Of these, your 401(k) contribution is probably the only deduction you could put a stop on.  All other deductions are mandatory. There really is something wrong with my differential After you have done your calculations and find that there really is a mistake in the amount of differential you receive, you may call Saleh Altaheri of the TA Payroll Department at 646 252 6686.   If that does not resolve the matter, you may contact your union representative to file a grievance.   The grievance should state  that s. 2.7 of the collective bargaining agreement was violated; and that Grievant was not paid the proper amount of differential due (specify the period at issue).

MTA Business Service Center

TWU Local 100 June 22, 2012 When Local 100 found out about the MTA 's plans to move administration of TA/OA paychecks and health benefits to the MTA-wide Business Service Center (BSC), the Union immediately demanded that the Authority bargain about the impact it would have on our members. We are determined to prevent the kind of disruptions that we have experienced when they made changes in the past. When talks were unsuccessful, the Union filed a grievance. Then management started to negotiate seriously. Here are some of the things we objected to and what we have won so far: Originally, the MTA had no plans for members to deal with their benefits in person. The Union has won an agreement for a Walk-in- Center at 180 Livingston St. Originally, the MTA had no plans for family members to be able to get information or resolve problems. The Union has won an agreement for access for spouses and family members. Originally, the MTA had no plans to give members access using their pass or Social Security numbers. The Union has won an agreement that they can use their pass or Social Security numbers. Originally the MTA had no procedures for Union Reps to intervene with BSC managers. The Union has won an agreement to a procedure so Union Reps can go to bat for members. Management wants to change over to the BSC as of July 2, and give members the contact information for the BSC and their ID numbers AFTERWARDS. Compounding the problem, management also wants to move responsibility for writing TA/OA paychecks over to the BSC in mid-July. They have agreed to review with us the testing of the new system. but this hasn't happened yet. What we have been able to see has caused us serious concern. We doubt that they are ready. Local 100 is telling them to wait and do it right. We will be back in arbitration on June 29. The underlying problem In 2002 we gave up our right to co-administer our benefits. Now, we have no direct control. We have to fight like hell to protect our benefits every time management decides to make a change. We may win in the end but the cost is high. And that is just to keep from moving backward. We can't go on like this. We must reestablish direct control over health benefits. In contract negotiations, Local 100 is proposing just that. AFTER THE CHANGEOVER HOW TO PROCEED Health Benefits: If you have problems with your health benefits after the changeover, contact the BSC. If you have problems with the BSC, call the Union's Member Services Department at (347) 643-8062. Paychecks: If you have a problem after the changeover, go to timekeeping. Your timekeeper will not change. If you do not get satisfaction, call your Union Rep. MTA Business Service Center Website: mtabsc.info Hours: 8:30am to 5pm, Mon.-Fri Email: bscservice@mtabsc.org Phone: 646-376-0123 Fax: 212-852-8700 Mail: MTA Business Service Center 333 W. 34th Street, 9th Floor New York, NY 10001 Walk-In Center: 180 Livingston St, Brooklyn, NY

MaBstoa Div1 Retirees Dinner Dance

MaBSTOA DIVISION 1
Transportation
37th Retirement Dinner Dance
Dinner Chairman: Richard Davis
Cordially Invite You to Join Us
Celebrate the Retirement of the Men and Woman
of MaBSTOA
A Special Memorialization Posthumously
honoring Mr. Richard Bermudez, 100st Depot
Chairman for 30 years of service. Also honoring long
standing Chairman of Mother Clara Hale & Amsterdam Depots
currently working for the Division, Mr. William Isabell
Friday, May 25th, 2012
The Ballroom at the Cathedral NYC
504 West 41st Street, NY NY 10036
Tickets: $45.00 per person
Open Bar & Buffet Style Dinner
7:00pm to Midnight 
"We look forward to the pleasure of your company"
For tickets please contact: Vice President Brian Clarke,
Division Chairman, Richard Davis (212) 712-5001
MJQ Chairman, Sukhy Singh (212) 712-5059
100st Chairman, Dwayne Ruffin (212) 712-4668
MTV Chairman, Jose Castellon (212) 712-4341

From the Blog why did you join the union

Roger Toussaint a bad idea

In a surprisingly serious interview with the Wall Street Journal on March 13, 2012 under ‘Clash at Transit Union by Ted Mann’ Roger Toussaint talked about his disappointment with President of TWU Local 100 John Samuelsen and with the Executive Board.
Here are some of Mr. Toussaint’s comments: 1) ‘He previously ruled out a power grab, including in an open letter to the union's executive board in January’  2) ‘It's about getting it from them’ 3) ‘including appearing at a recent meeting of the executive board’ - imagine George W Bush hanging outside of the US Congress it makes no sense. Those we would imagine are made up pejoratives.
In regard to Roger Toussaint’s spotty record, he can blame John Samuelsen all he wants but he cannot run away from his spotty record. He has to answer for it - he can look at the man in the mirror who gave away ‘No Layoff Clause’. Until now he has not come clean with an explanation to the membership which deserve an explanation. He had the ability to deny in giving the MTA ‘No Lay off Clause’ but he did not rather he gave it away freely - why.
Who gave away Union Hall (80 West End Avenue) - it should have been for thirty million more than he received. Until now he has not come clean with an explanation to the membership who deserve an explanation - isn’t that the truth, Mr. Roger Toussaint? Can you deny it?
Who gave away Christmas contract deadline? We are not sure what he truly thinks is the right path for the current contract negotiations, other than that he governed by fear. As president he kept everyone around him who blindly obeyed him but tossed away any who questioned him.
Let us give you now our personal opinion of Roger Toussaint - we believe Roger Toussaint does not represent membership interests no matter how you look at him. He has betrayed membership interests.
At this particular point in time, Roger Toussaint has not yet been proven to be corrupt (we’ll see how the 80 West End Avenue scandal plays out however in the minds of the membership it is clear) but he certainly has proven to be inexperienced, insincere, insolent and above all incompetent.  
Roger Toussaint unfortunately for TWU Local 100 is in over his head. He is not up to the job and is even more of a catastrophe than the inept George Armstrong Custer who was at Little Big Horn - based on his spotty record Roger Toussaint is a bad idea!

Greetings Brothers and Sisters:
We are faced with many obstacles in this contract fight with increased disciplines for minor violations. Every department should be following their standard operating procedure, for Bus Operators we can start with the 19a!
Bus Operators quality of life is under constant attack, but as all of you are aware, MaBstoa and TA Managers are looking for the death blow that would make this job meaningless in terms of our buying power. As Bus Operators, we must do what ever we need to do to protect that! In Manhattan and the Bronx, ShopGate meetings have been occurring to give basic information, and pull support for our leaders.
There is a lot of media surrounding our battles and contract fight. There is also a lot  negativity coming from the forces that intend to run against the current leadership. (Politics) 
We have to stay focused on our fight in order to preserve our earning power.
The innocent folks of this Union have been sucked into a power struggle within itself that causes nothing more than additional division! 
We must fight together all others get out of the way!

Week In Review

Brothers and Sisters; this was the week in review
Our local Leaders went to Albany to put pressure on the legislatures who claim to support our efforts in the contract fight. These efforts are designed to put pressure on the Governor who seem to be taking a strong stance due to future aspirations for President of the United States. This Governor has put State and City pensions in his cross hairs to prove his worthiness as a Presidential candidate.
Campaign literature for President of the TWU Local 100 has already been circulated amongst  the membership to try to discredit  the current leadership and to advise folks to vote differently next time around. It has been the general consensus around the local membership, that this isn't the time nor the place with contract bargaining hanging in the balance! As a footnote, People will do what they have to do to poison the water that we all drink from in order to get their way! (Politics) Management is well aware of our division, let's be bigger and better, let's be together even if it hurts!
Department of Buses - there have been several things in the DOB that Management has been doing and getting away with. In certain locations of the MaBstoa properties Management has been running short on equipment, and radios the Operator via bus radio to pull serviceable buses right to the pullout lines. Our normal standard operating procedures require us to pull our buses in at the fuel line using certain pull in procedures. This should not be deviated from due to any savings measures management tries to put in place. We as a membership must do all we can to protect our shifting, that's why we must follow all SOP's!
Reporting and making reliefs on the road- When Bus Operators report on time, and get to relief locations late due to connecting buses arriving late simply get the route and run of the connecting bus and bring the info to the chairs of the depot, also as a follow up measure Operators can Email me at dyates@twulocal100.org If the above is happening to you, do not pay for a cab, and do not report earlier in order to make that relief on time.(Scheduling Problem)

On Thursday January 27th 2012 the MaBstoa Surface Reps met with the President on the contractual issues of part-timers. We were assured that there would be no settlement of any agreement that would come off the backs of Buses. There is however a potential problem that we must keep our eyes on, and that's the Queens and Staten Island Divisions. (ATU Local 726 ATU Local 1056) The TA is asking for part-timers from them in order to settle their 2009 contract. They have been without a Contract since our last Arbitration award. Currently the ATU is in Arbitration over the matter where the TA is seeking 10% of the workforce to be part timers!
All in a nut shell, the MTA is trying to bind the TWU to the PEF and CSEA agreements. The MTA right now don't have 5,000 layoffs looming over our heads like the State had on those Unions!

In Solidarity
Donald Yates
MaBstoa TWU-100