Nelson Rivera and Stephan Thomas insensitivity

Many of you have received numerous emails from CED led group - Joe Campbell, Nelson Rivera, Stephan Thomas and Kendra Hill whose publications have centered on attacking TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen.

One wonders how come this slate is not offering anything credible or tangible that would benefit the membership? Many have observed that those above were Roger Toussaint’s beneficiaries when he was in power. During Roger Toussaint era many agreements were signed that had the intention of eliminating titles such as conductors in Rapid Transit Operation as well as the CTA position in the Station Department in which Nelson Rivera and Stephan Thomas acquiesced.

Since now One Person Train Operator (OPTO) has been tackled and there is hiring of conductors for the Rapid Transit Operation which is a sign of good news. The rehiring of laid off station agents is also great news which possibly may lead to hiring more station agents from the open competitive list. When Jay H Walder former CEO had plans to phase out the station agent title in favor of vending metro card machines and removal of the booth completely - we can say the reversal of that plan is good news for TWU Local 100.

Can we hear credit directed towards president John Samuelsen for those accomplishments or at the minimum acknowledgement of that from the CED led group? Do not hold your breath they have nothing to offer that would be in the membership’s interest, and what do they really stand for? 

Many have observed that the CED led group are incompetent to handle their own affairs without knowing what they are doing. But perhaps what they are really doing is sacrificing their own membership to boost their image as saviors. Membership won’t be fooled by the CED led group, since this barrage of propaganda presented by Joe Campbell, Nelson Rivera, Stephen Thomas and Kendra Hill is about their own TWU Local 100.  

One particular item stood out to us. ‘We paid at the door!!’ many noted that this is not a movie house, athletic event or wrestling match where you pay at the door to get in to see the live action or pass time. However this is the CED led group that want you to get into their circus by paying at the door probably so they can enjoy some fresh sushi or bagel and lox. Scuttlebutt is that Joe Campbell who is the emptiest of empty suit - what we knew long ago.

As some of the membership who put the blame squarely at the feet of the CED led group in their solidarity philosophy, when they did nothing for laid off fellow co workers, many have made the conclusion that the philosophy of the CED led group would like to hold back any achievement that has been gained by TWU Local 100. It is obvious, it is a philosophy that sacrifices the gains that have been made recently.

Well to our delights this is exactly the kind of conversation we should be having that picks apart the hard facts and statistics and allows the membership to see the naked truth of the CED led group. We are aware they fear knowledge and truth. Joe Campbell’s response should be interesting especially with his cluelessness as he goes through the motions pretending to be a leader while everyone knows that he is a follower and puppet to Nelson Rivera and Roger Toussaint.