Local 100 of the Transit Workers Union draws out some of the most vehement debates about labor unions in New York. Clearly one of the strongest chapters of the AFL-CIO in the city, opponents of the TWU 100 claim it holds the MTA hostage during labor negotiations while pro-labor proponents defend the workers to the death.
Now, as a result of sanctions leveled against the Transit Workers Union in the aftermath of the illegal December 2005 strike, the Union could be facing an economic crisis that may threaten its very existence. NY1’s transit beat reporter Bobby Cuza notes that the loss of “dues check-off,” the Union could lose much of its $20 million it draws in through this system. Cuza writes:
With every paycheck that NYC Transit sends its employees, it automatically deducts union dues, and sends that money directly to Transport Workers Union Local 100. But effective June 1st, “dues check-off” is being revoked as punishment for the December 2005 strike…
Without “dues check-off,” the union will have to convince each individual worker to pay their dues voluntarily, whether by check, credit card or through an automatic payment program. So far only about half have pledged their commitment to pay, but Toussaint says they are still reaching out to many of the 35,000 workers.
According to the report, the situation may not be as dire as it first sounds. Even Toussaint’s opponents within the TWU are working to convince the members to donate their dues even without the dues check-off procedure in place. Furthermore, the TWU can apply for dues check-off reinstatement 90 days after this penalty goes into effect.
In addition to this sanction, Toussaint spent a short time in jail and the Union had to fork over $2.5 million in fines as a result of the strike. As word gets out about these sanctions, the debate over the future of the TWU in New York City is bound to be bitter. It always is.