June 4, 2012
By Ray Parker, Staff Writer
The heat on Bus Dispatcher Earl Bryant rose by a few degrees on June 1 when NY State Senator Adriano Espaillat called for the MTA to come down harder on Bryant, who has been accused of verbal and physical harassment of MTA employees at the Kingsbridge Depot in upper Manhattan.
Bryant is alleged to have licked one employee’s face, pulled another through a window to kiss her against her will, and grabbed a man’s testicles. In spite of complaints from four workers, he is still on the job. Espaillat called for Bryant’s immediate suspension pending a swift investigation,’ but did not use the supervisor’s name.
TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen, speaking at a press conference with Espaillat outside of the Kingsbridge Depot, said there was “a pervert on the payroll,” and added that “We are shocked and disgusted by the most recent case of our workers being violated…[the MTA] has failed to appreciate the people who allow our transportation to exist.”
Other community leaders including Judith Amaro, President of the Northern Manhattan Chapter of NOW, spoke. Amaro said, “We stand united in calling
for the MTA to act decisively and create a better work environment where all employees, including women, feel safe from harassment.”
Espaillat, who will challenge longtime Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel in this month’s primary election, sent a strong letter about the case to MTA CEO Joseph Lhota in which he called for Bryant’s suspension and possible referral of the case to the Manhattan District Attorney.
