3 'Transit' Execs Shift Within MTA

Labor VP Moves On
3 'Transit' Execs Shift Within MTA


Three senior managers at NYC Transit, including the labor relations vice president, moved into posts at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority July 2.

RALPH AGRITELLEY: TWU won't miss him. "These personnel changes allow the MTA to expand our focus on three of my top priorities: security, streamlining services and improved labor relations," MTA Executive Director and CEO Elliot G. Sander said in a statement.

TWU Scourge to LIRR

Ralph Agritelley, known throughout Transport Workers Union Local 100 for being a tough disciplinarian, was promoted to Director of Labor Relations Administration at the Long Island Rail Road.

"More than any other individual, he's responsible for the management's culture of war against hourly workers," said Joel Fredericson, a retired Track Equipment Maintainer, of Mr. Agritelley. "He combines a unique blend of ignorance and arrogance."

Mr. Fredericson specifically cited an incident during contract negotiations in 2002 when the union wanted NYC Transit to adopt safety rules for employees when working in extreme heat.

"Agritelley's attitude was just contemptuous," he said. "He just refused to take the issue seriously. We've had workers die from heat exhaustion."

Other Transfers

Executive Vice President of NYC Transit Barbara Spencer became Deputy Director for Strategic Planning within the MTA's Office of Security. Senior Vice President of Department of Buses Millard Seay is now Senior Vice President for Regionalization at the MTA.

"It speaks volumes about the MTA family of agencies that we are able to move senior NYCT staff into key leadership positions at other agencies and replace them with equally capable talent from within our own organization," Mr. Sander stated.

Mr. Fredericson said that the performance of Mr. Agritelley's successor, Judith Pierce, the former Director of Appeals within the Paratransit Division at NYC Transit, will determine whether or not management culture has improved for workers under NYC Transit President Howard Roberts's regime. He feared, however, for the well-being of workers at the LIRR.

"I'm glad to see him go," Mr. Fredericson said of Mr. Agritelly. "But he should be sent farther away."