Two transport union chapters are backing Republican Bruce Blakeman in a snub to incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul for governor, The Post has learned.
Leaders of TWU Local 106, which represents frontline supervisors in New York City Transit’s buses and subways, will officially endorse Blakeman at its union headquarters in the Bronx on Friday.
Representatives from TWU Local 252, which represents transit operators, school bus drivers and other workers on Long Island, will also endorse Blakeman at the event
“Bruce Blakeman-Candidate for Governor will be at our office in the Bronx on May 29th for a meet and greet and an Endorsement from Local 106,” the TWU Local 6 website said. “The leadership from TWU Local 252 will be here as well to also endorse Bruce Blakeman for Governor of New York.”
Local 106 president Phil Valenti blamed the MTA and Hochul for the three-day Long Island Rail Road strike earlier this month.
“We know firsthand how bad things have become. TWU Local 106 will be filing Bargaining in Bad Faith charges against the MTA after contracts that should have been settled months ago continue to be withheld while management plays games instead of negotiating honestly,” Valenti said in a recent post on the union website.
“Bruce Blakeman will win in November! Blakeman will fix the MTA and New York State!,” he added.
Hochul has huge sway over the MTA, via her apoointments of the chairman/CEO and many of the board members.
The MTA is locked in intense contract negotiations with TWU Local 100 representing 41,000 city subway, bus and other transit workers in NYC Transit.
TWU International and Local 100 have yet to endorse in the governor’s race.