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By Donna Lamb |
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ROGER TOUSSAINT AWARDED PROCLAMATION
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cut his teeth opposing British control of his native country, Trinidad.
Even after taking up life in the United States, he continued to lead
protests against discrimination and a government many considered a mere
tool of the Trinidad's former colonial rulers. No wonder he came to be
seen as the man who has what it takes to stand up to the powers-that-be
and fight for the rights of 38,000 New York City transit workers - the
bus and subway workers, mostly employed by the Transit Authority, who
run this city's vital mass transit system, moving about 7 million riders
on any given weekday.
During the hotly contested 3-way race of 2000, Toussaint was elected
President of the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) Local 100. He vowed
that, as president, he would bring back respect and dignity to the
membership. He promised to confront the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA)
on such pivotal issues as their heavy-handed disciplinary tactics
against employees, matters of public safety, schedules and even fare
increases.
Late last year, Toussaint's sincerity and grit were put to the test
in grueling contract negotiations with the MTA. Despite an all-out
propaganda campaign to make it appear to New Yorkers as though his
demands were totally preposterous, nothing more than highway robbery of
their dear financially-strapped city; despite incredible intimidation
tactics by the City such as its lawsuit seeking $1 million in fines
against the union on the first day of a strike, to double each day
thereafter; - despite every underhanded maneuver, Toussaint had the
guts, stamina and integrity to hold to what he knew was fair and
negotiate a decent contract for his union.
Therefore, it seemed not only right but necessary when, at the
February 12th City Council meeting, Mr. Toussaint was awarded
a proclamation honoring him for his important civic contribution as
President of the TWU's Local 100.
In introducing the proclamation, Council Member Charles Barron said
of Toussaint, referring to the contract negotiations, "We are privileged
to honor him today for the intelligent, cool headed and strategic
leadership he provided for this city around a serious crisis. We
understand the pressure he was under. We're all very proud of his
leadership, and we have a special proclamation for him and his union
today."
The proclamation read in part:
 "Whereas, as recent events have shown us, Roger Toussaint is a
dynamic leader committed to improving the working conditions and
bettering the lives of thousands of our city's transit workers;
"Whereas, he is a highly skilled negotiator who has proven time and
time again that even the toughest challenges can be met and overcome
with insight, intelligence and commitment to one's goal. He has
demonstrated the importance of an iron-clad will, while, at the same
time, he has shown the great virtue of being open and flexible to the
concerns, opinions and needs of others;
"Whereas, since being elected president of TWU Local 100, he has been
an inspiring leader who has built an impressive record of achievements,
including major wage and benefit increases for 700 union members of the
Westchester Best Bus Company, a 28% increase in pension benefits and a
51% increase in health benefits and;
"Therefore, be it known that the Council of the City of New York most
gratefully honors Roger Toussaint for his inspiring leadership and
outstanding civic service."
In accepting his award on behalf of himself and all transit workers,
Toussaint thanked the council members for their recognition of what the
union had accomplished in this contract struggle. "I think the record
will show that we took a major step in bringing transit workers out from
under the plantation system they were living under," he stated. "We took
a big step towards guaranteeing their health benefits, including, for
the first time ever, prescription coverage for retirees. We brought some
recognition that the employer has more than an obligation to just simply
hand you a paycheck at the end of every 2 weeks. We did this by
establishing a serious childcare fund and an education fund, also for
the first time ever."
He said, too, that they are happy with this recognition, but at the
same time they are extremely concerned, as everyone else is, by the
waves of fiscal attacks that continue to take place against the people
who least deserve it and can least afford it. "It's really important
that the same type of alliance which came together and played such a
powerful role in helping us through our difficult contract fight -
labor, various advocacy groups and elected officials of conscience who
rallied around us - it's crucial that we all continue this kind of
alliance in order to protect New York's workers and poor. That's
desperately needed because we're under massive attack from several
quarters."
Majority Leader Joel Rivera ended the presentation of the
proclamation by stating that this council has stood by Roger Toussaint
and the TWU since day one, and that it will continue to support the
vital labor that these workers provide to the City of New York.
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