July 3, 2013
By Marc Bussanich
New York, NY—Bill Thompson won another critical union endorsement on Tuesday, this time from the Transport Workers Union Local 100. Watch Video
John Samuelsen, president of Local 100, said the union decided to endorse Mr. Thompson for mayor because they believe he will be friendlier towards transit riders and workers.
“We believe that Bill, rather than using the power of the mayor’s office to just side with the MTA, will stand up and use the mayor’s office as a bully pulpit on behalf of transit riders in service restoration campaigns and campaigns to restore clerks to our booths and to improve safety in the bus and subway systems,” said Samuelsen.
Mr. Thompson said as mayor he would invest in the city’s public transit system.
“We need to create more focus on improving mass transit. I want to be an aggressive mayor who realizes that New Yorkers deserve service upgrades and better service. I’ve talked about ways to finance that, to be able to add $1.7 billion to the system. We’re going to move forward and fight to get that done,” said Thompson.
Mr. Samuelsen said in an interview that one of the first actions he hopes a Thompson mayoralty enacts is investing more money in the system.
“The city’s budget has to direct more money toward the New York City transit system. The money has been significantly reduced over the last 15 years. That has to be reserved. New York City has to give more money towards this transit system.” Samuelsen said.
In addition to endorsing Mr. Thompson for mayor, Local 100 endorsed Council Member Robert Jackson for Manhattan Borough President, Council Member Letitia James for Public Advocate and current Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stringer, for Comptroller.
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