Train Operator Ballot Snafu For All TWU Slates

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS

New ballots went out Nov. 24 to Transport Workers' Union Local 100 members who work as B Division Train Operators on the BMT and IND subway lines.

The ballots had the correct names for executive board candidates for all five slates running in Local 100's elections. This newspaper last week reported the error as a misprint that only affected the Rail and Bus United candidates, but subsequently learned it was a mailing error that affected every slate.

Conductors Listed Twice

Ballots going to B Division Train Operators in Rapid Transit Operations were confused with ballots for Train Conductors, who are in a different division. Workers who staff the BMT and IND subway lines are listed as B Division Train Operators; those working the IRT lines are in the A Division.

Arthur Schwartz, counsel to the Local 100 Election Committee, confirmed last week that the wrong ballots were sent out.

"One division got a ballot meant for another division - we caught it, and correct ballots went out right away. It's that simple," said Mr. Schwartz.

There were a few other glitches with some ballots due to the difference in the way the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the union grouped the workers together, Mr. Schwartz added.

But he stressed that they were minor errors that could be quickly rectified. They had "uniformly affected" everyone, he said, noting that no particular slate had suffered because of the slip-ups.