TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano – whose career as a union leader has spanned four decades – announced he was stepping down from the top position this morning. The Executive Board overwhelmingly voted to elevate Secretary-Treasurer Richard Davis to the presidency with 41 in favor, none opposed.
Utano, who has served as president since 2017, and was previously the Vice President of the Maintenance of Way Department, said he wants to spend more time with his family and enable a new generation of leaders to lead. Utano will continue to serve as Executive Director.
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The Executive Board also voted to promote MOW Vice President John Chiarello to Secretary-Treasurer. Structures Chair Richard Rocco was named MOW Vice President.
In a statement to the membership, Davis said:
“I’d like to thank the Executive Board for this honor. Thank you for putting your faith and trust in me to lead our union forward.
And that’s exactly what I intend to do – move us forward and make this great union even greater. My mission is to build a better, stronger, more unified, and more effective TWU Local 100 that has an administration that is focused on you, the membership.
I promise to work tirelessly on your behalf and put your needs first. I will never stop working to make improvements on multiple key fronts, including safety, job security, your quality of life and your ability to take care of your families.
Priority number one is gearing up for our upcoming contract fights at the MTA and at our private bus and school bus divisions. I will be immediately sending teams into the field as part of an internal organizing and membership outreach campaign. I believe it’s vitally important that your voices be heard as we chart a course for the future. We also must be ready to mobilize to face any obstacles that are placed in our way.”
Davis, 53, joined NYC Transit as a Bus Operator at the age of 26. His first union position was chief line steward. He was elected MaBSTOA Division 1 Chair in 2004, then Vice President of the Department in 2014. Davis became Secretary-Treasurer in May following the retirement of Earl Phillips.
Utano, 60, joined NYC Transit in 1980 as an Electrical Helper at the age of 18. He was elected to his first union position the following year. He never lost an election, serving as Section Vice Chair, Section Chair, Division Chair and Vice President before becoming President in September 2017.
