TWU's Loss of Democracy
To the Editor:

Once again a letter to the editor from a TWU Local 100 Stations Division member, Paul Piazza (Aug. 15 issue) brings hope that one day Local 100 will regain its character and true democracy.

Piazza's letter, "TWU's Strange Priorities," states the true state of affairs in Local 100. Piazza writes that "in this regime what they [President Roger Toussaint] cannot control they must discredit, and those they cannot buy off they must make an example of." I, and many Local 100 elected officers, as well as targeted rank and file, know only too well the reality of Paul's statement.

It is incredible to me that so much was lost as a result of Toussaint's irresponsible strike. Of course it's good that some small health benefits were obtained for some retirees; however, the MTA should have paid the cost — not every Local 100 member out of every hour of pay members earn. It's not difficult to obtain benefits that the members pay for themselves.

Do not doubt that the weakening of the strike threat occurred when Toussaint agreed to give up the contract expiration date of mid-December and move it to a date well past the Christmas holidays, which will make bargaining that much more difficult.

I share Piazza's concerns when he writes, "I cannot understand how some good union people can continue to support such mean-spirited and hapless TWU Local 100 leaders."

But Paul, I disagree with you when you ask the question, "What next, loyalty oaths and a secret police?" I believe one can make a strong case that Toussaint has for years put both of these totalitarian programs in place.

Just think about it. Toussaint puts his paid staff in charge over elected officers with the assignment of undermining the responsibilities of those elected officers who have the courage to say they disagree with a Toussaint decision. Clearly, some of Toussaint's staff are a form of a secret police force.

As for a loyalty oath, I suggest that every time an executive board member and/or an elected officer votes yes on an issue they knew Toussaint deserved a "no" vote on is a form of a loyalty oath.

For me, it's very sad that many Local 100 exec board members and some elected officers were once good union people who I believe have lost direction and have betrayed what they stood for before becoming followers of the Toussaint agenda.

SONNY HALL, Local 100 retiree

Editor's note: Mr. Hall is a past president of both Transport Workers Union Local 100 and its international union, the TWU of America.