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Ex-Transit Union Leader Roger Toussaint Wants To Go From VP To...Track Worker
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 4, 2012
Modified Feb 4, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 4, 2012
Modified Feb 4, 2012
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Hey, remember Roger Toussaint? He was the president of the Transit Workers Union Local 100 who made the decision to lead its members on a two-and-a-half day transit strike in 2005. More recently he's been vice president in charge of strategic planning at TWU, but now the Daily News reports he was at the MTA's Brooklyn office to be "reinstated as a track workers... [He] filed paperwork and took a physical required of any employee seeking to return after an extended absence, sources said." And when told of the news, a TWU official said, "Holy s---."
According to the News, "The move further fueled speculation that Toussaint, 55, was plotting to again run for Local 100 president, a position he held from 2001 to 2009." Toussaint is mortal enemies with current TWU president John Samuelssen, who is in the middle of negotiating with the MTA for a new contract. The TWU official said, "The last thing we need is infighting in the local when we’re in a difficult contract fight." Seriously—and Samuelssen hasn't ruled out a strike!
On the other hand, a union source suggest to the News "that "Toussaint may be taking the necessary steps to get paid for unused vacation or sick time before retiring with full benefits." But here's how the positions differ: "At TWU International, Toussaint earned $180,000 a year. Perks included a union car, world travel and a subsidized apartment in Washington. A track worker earns up to $29 an hour. The only travel is by subway, between crew rooms and job sites."
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john samuelssen
roger toussaint
track worker
transit union
TRANSIT WORKERS UNION
twu
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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