Anthony Bartolotta is our pinata

The logic is simple - if a union could not use a threat of strike action to improve the working conditions of its members, there would be less incentive for members to believe in it. Regardless of how one views its leadership it depends on where you stand.

John Samuelsen president of TWU Local 100 is a responsible union leader for his commitment to ensure the stability and continued progress of the economy of New York City and we agree with that standard. However, the management or as the NY Post put it ‘A high-ranking MTA superintendent instituted a quota on the number of disciplinary violations - New York City Transit Superintendent Anthony Bartolotta’. 

Anthony Bartolotta has violated TWU Local 100 of its no-strike pledge - we also believe Anthony Bartolotta has his marching orders from his head, thus it is obvious it was orchestrated ahead of time - planned, disseminated to underlings. We do not believe this nonsensical ‘The MTA quickly disavowed the e-mails, saying they were the work of a single employee, and vehemently denied ever endorsing quotas.’. It just brought back the Oliver L North, who came into the public spotlight as a result of his participation in the Iran-Contra affair. That was a political scandal of the late 1980s, in which he claimed partial responsibility for the sale of weapons via intermediaries to Iran, with the profits being channeled to the Contras in Nicaragua - everyone knows lieutenant colonel has no such powers - everyone in TWU Local 100 knows Anthony Bartolotta has no gravitas.

The MTA should demonstrate and act responsibly as John Samuelsen has - in maintaining economic stability and in its progress for New York City by demonstrating their good will in honoring its human capital by firing Anthony Bartolotta immediately.

If the MTA allows Anthony Bartolotta to stay then the feel for the pull of temptation to demand from John Samuelsen to act less responsibly would be greater, since now we have the motivating factor. Anthony Bartolotta is our pinata, now it is our turn to respond.