Trump’s 2nd Term is a Local 100 Threat
Our Resilience is our Strength
TWU Local 100 transit workers unite, preparing to face the challenges ahead under new federal pressures.
Well, folks, the results are in, and here we are—bracing ourselves for what a second Trump presidency could mean for our union, our members, and frankly, the future of public labor. As much as we’d like to kick back, take a breather, and enjoy the new year, the reality is that there’s a storm on the horizon. This is a wake-up call for every single one of us at TWU Local 100 to gear up, dig in, and get ready to protect what we’ve fought so hard to build.
Trump’s track record with unions and public services is no secret. In his first term, we saw a labor-unfriendly agenda that put profits over people and weakened worker protections. Now, we’re looking at the same story but possibly on a grander scale—and it’s not looking great for the MTA, TWU members, or NYC transit riders. Here’s what we’re facing, why it matters, and what we need to do—right now—to prepare ourselves.
Labor Rights
Let’s start with the big picture. Trump’s previous administration wasn’t exactly the friendliest to unions, and that’s putting it mildly. We saw federal pushes for “right-to-work” laws that weaken unions by prohibiting mandatory union dues. Right-to-work sounds nice, but in reality, it’s a sneaky way to starve unions of the resources they need to fight for workers.
Under a second Trump administration, we can expect escalated support for weakening unions and possibly a push toward federal right-to-work laws that impact even blue states like New York. Hochul’s administration has expressed support for public transit, but Trump’s anti-union stance could undermine state and local efforts.
What We Need to Do:
We need to reinforce our local strength now. Building stronger connections with state lawmakers who support us is essential. We’ve also got to make & strengthen alliances with other unions to ensure a united front against federal policies that may harm labor rights. At every level—state, city, and local—we need the protections that keep our union strong and our members safe if federal support for unions weakens further.
Funding Cuts
Trump’s first term wasn’t a friendly time for public transit funding, with federal dollars largely directed toward highways and private infrastructure projects. Now, with a second term looming, the situation could get even tougher. Governor Hochul is aware of these challenges and has promised to address MTA funding, but Trump’s threats to kill New York City’s congestion pricing plan—one of the few reliable revenue sources for the MTA—add more uncertainty.
On top of that, Elon Musk has emerged as one of Trump’s biggest supporters, pledging over $70 million to his campaign. Musk’s influence, combined with his history of private-sector priorities, could steer federal resources away from public transit, making it harder to secure the funds we need to maintain and improve NYC’s transit system. Without congestion pricing and with potential cuts to federal aid, the MTA’s finances could spiral, threatening essential services, maintenance, and even jobs.
What We Need to Do:
We need to be loud, proud, and proactive. Public outreach is key. We must make it clear that supporting transit workers is supporting a functional New York City. Without transit, the city grinds to a halt, and so does its economy. It’s our job to ensure that city residents, state legislators, and the governor understand the essential role we play in keeping NYC moving and fighting for a strong, resilient, well-funded MTA.
Privatization
Ah, yes, privatization—the corporate dream. Privatizing public transit might sound efficient in theory, but in practice, it often means cutting corners, reducing wages, and slashing benefits to maximize profits. We’re talking about fewer protections, job cuts & an eroded transit experience for New Yorkers.
If federal influence pushes for privatization under a Trump administration, there’s a risk we could see more critical services broken up and handed over to private contractors (we’ve already seen what they did with Mobile Wash in the Stations Department) who don’t answer to New Yorkers. For us at TWU Local 100, that could mean serious threats to job quality, wages, and job stability.
What We Need to Do:
We need to lock in stronger contractual protections now. Every new contract should include clauses that protect us from outsourcing and ensure that any MTA restructuring keeps TWU members secure. We have to make it expensive and difficult for the MTA to bring in outside contractors who don’t care about us or the city we serve. Privatization won’t improve services or solve financial issues—our contracts should make that clear.
“We must make it clear that supporting transit workers is supporting a functional New York City.”
Health and Safety Standards
Remember the COVID-19 pandemic? Essential workers, including our own members, were out there risking their lives to keep the city running. But was there a coordinated federal effort to protect us? Not really. Workplace protections were inconsistent at best, and if OSHA regulations are relaxed further, we could be on our own when it comes to ensuring safety.
A second Trump term could see fewer protections on everything from air quality in stations to extreme weather protocols for workers on the ground. With Hochul’s administration focused on MTA funding, there may be room for additional safety guidelines, but federal pressure could make real enforcement more difficult.
What We Need to Do:
We need to push much harder for strong OSHA-like standards. If the federal government won’t protect us, we need the city and state (and Transit) to step up. Our Safety & Health Department within TWU Local 100 needs to go harder with monitoring conditions and working with local leaders to establish safety protocols that keep us protected on the job.
Immigration and Diversity
An administration with a history of harsh immigration policies could put members at risk. New York’s transit system is a diverse operation, and many of our members are legal immigrants who come to work every day to keep this city moving. If immigration policies take a draconian turn, members could face increased scrutiny, threats or even lose their legal status, impacting their ability to work and organize. It can also affect transit members’ family & loved ones, impacting the lives and livelihoods of all of us connected to communities of immigrants & expats in America.
What We Need to Do:
TWU Local 100 needs to build a strong immigration support network to help our immigrant members with any legal or workplace challenges they might face in the face of this worst case scenario. This could mean providing resources, counseling, connecting members with legal aid, and ensuring that our union is a safe haven where all members feel valued and protected.
Wages, Benefits, and Job Cuts
One of the biggest risks under another Trump term is stagnation—stagnation of wages, benefits, and workforce size. If funding is cut and privatization creeps in, we risk see wage growth grind to a halt. Benefits? They’ll be the first thing on the chopping block. And as for job cuts—do we even need to go there?
What We Need to Do:
Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. We can’t wait for the next contract to start pushing for fair wage growth, benefits, and job security. Every bargaining session has to be a battle for protections that guarantee us a fair deal, no matter what the federal government is doing.
EMPLOYEE Surveillance
An administration focused on “law and order” could mean ramped-up surveillance under the guise of “safety” measures. But let’s be real: surveillance on the job is rarely just about safety. It’s about keeping workers in check, watching our every move, and making sure we don’t “step out of line.” This is about control, and under a second Trump administration, workplace surveillance could increase significantly, affecting our day-to-day work and putting unnecessary pressure on employees. While in some ways Local 100 already recognizes these concerns and has been proactive in addressing worker privacy, a heightened federal push could make this an even greater issue for our members.
What We Need to Do:
Rather than creating new protections, we need to strengthen and enforce our existing surveillance policies. Let’s push for clearer, stricter limits on how surveillance data is used. Surveillance should be a tool for genuine safety, not punitive measures. Our contracts should make it explicitly clear that monitoring data can only be used for essential security functions, not for disciplinary action or invasive scrutiny. We also need a transparent process for monitoring so that workers know what’s being recorded, where it’s being stored, and how it will (and won’t) be used.
Building Political Strength
This isn’t just about surviving the next four years—it’s about building strength for the long haul. Local 100 has been involved in political advocacy, and we’ve made some strides in building a presence and relationships with labor-friendly politicians. But a second Trump term is a reminder that our work is far from over & far from enough. To secure lasting protections and make sure pro-labor voices are represented, we need a solid, long-term political strategy that extends well beyond local issues and addresses national labor policies, too.
What We Need to Do:
While our Political Action Committee (PAC) is already at work, we need to expand and enrich our PAC efforts to give TWU Local 100 a stronger voice on both the state and national stages. This means strengthening our relationships with pro-labor candidates at all levels, including those with influence over federal transit and labor policy. Let’s also work on energizing our members to vote, volunteer, and advocate for policies that protect workers. With a united, politically engaged membership, we’re in a better position to influence future election cycles and ensure that transit workers' voices are heard and valued.
The Time to Act is NOW
This is a clarion call. Every member, every union leader, and every supporter of TWU Local 100 needs to understand that the next four years could shape the future of labor and public service in this country. We can’t afford to sit back and hope for the best—we need to take action, organize, and prepare.
If we want to protect our jobs, our rights, and our safety, we have to build a foundation that’s unshakeable. This isn’t just about surviving a second Trump term; it’s about ensuring that no matter who sits in the Oval Office, TWU Local 100 is here to stay—strong, resilient, and ready to fight.
My commitment to our future is unwavering. I'm here to build a foundation for meaningful advocacy and I need your support to make it happen. I'll be working tirelessly to advance the initiatives I’ve discussed, and I’m here, ready to fight every day for the future we all deserve. If you believe in this fight and want to see us reach new heights, I’m asking for your support. A small monthly donation can make a huge difference, but anything is appreciated, to help in building the resources we need to go toe-to-toe with anyone who threatens our future. Every dollar strengthens our collective voice, fuels our advocacy & prepares us for the battles ahead.
