Rebate for Dues Payments
TWU Offers Bonus For Direct Deposit

By ARI PAUL

Transport Workers Union Local 100 will contribute as much as $175 to those members who open new accounts with the union-owned Amalgamated Bank - which is offering several financial benefits to new customers - that would allow for direct deposits of their dues, President Roger Toussaint announced last week.

ROGER TOUSSAINT: An incentive to pay dues.

"From now to December 31, 2007, Local 100 members in good standing will receive up to $175 cash deposited into a new Amalgamated Bank account if certain conditions are met," Mr. Toussaint said in a letter to members. "Starting January 1, 2008, Local 100 members in good standing will receive four pay periods worth of union dues after activating a checking account with direct deposit."

Pegged to Lost Check-Off

The letter went on: "Receive $97.28 in two installments at the end of the first two months upon activating an account. If dues check-off has not yet been reinstated, the dues payments will be remitted to the union and you will receive a credit of $97.28 to your dues amount."

The union has been without dues check-off since June 1, as a punishment for its illegal three-day strike in 2005. In October, it petitioned to have it reinstated with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's partial support. A Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice denied the union's petition, saying more had to be done by union officials to convince him they wouldn't lead a future strike. Local 100 has filed for an appeal.

The Amalgamated Bank is owned by UNITE HERE, the apparel, food service and hotel workers' union. The bank has several locations in Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens and New Jersey.

Bringing Bank to Job

Bank representatives will be at Local 100 shops this week to inform members about its services.

They will be at the Flatbush Depot, Manhattanville Depot, Baisley Park Depot and Woodlawn Terminal on Nov. 28. They will be at the Jackie Gleason Depot and Kingsbridge Depot the following day. On Nov. 30, they will be at the East New York Depot, Gunhill Depot and Stillwell Terminal. They will also be available to sign up members for services at the union's mass membership meeting at the Javits Center on Dec. 1.

"We encourage you to take advantage of these services to help secure your financial future," Mr. Toussaint said in his letter. "If you are currently behind in your union dues payments, take this opportunity to bring yourself back into good standing."