2 Sets of TWU Rivals Drop Suit Against Leader

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS

A Federal lawsuit filed by dissident union officials against Transport Workers' Union Local 100 President Roger Toussaint that sought $3.5 million in damages was dropped Nov. 8.

The January 2005 lawsuit was filed by several Local 100 vice presidents, among them four candidates now running against the Toussaint administration on opposition slates in coming union elections.

Said He Wronged Them

Local 100 Vice Presidents John Mooney, William Pelletier, Ainsley Stewart, Barry Roberts and Randy Nevels, along with several other lower-ranking office-holders, sued for emotional and financial damages caused by what they alleged were the hard-line actions of Mr. Toussaint.

Mr. Stewart, Mr. Mooney and Mr. Pelletier are running for president, secretary-treasurer and recording secretary on the Union Democracy slate; Mr. Roberts is running for president as part of the Rail and Bus United slate.

Attorney Harry Kresky told the Daily News that "in light of the union elections that will take place in December, it would be best to let the union members decide who is competent to lead the union, who has their trust."

Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Ed Watt responded, "If the people who brought it had any honor at all, they would volunteer to pay back transit workers for the tens of thousands of dollars it cost our local to fight this frivolous lawsuit. They should be ashamed."