PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Alexander Kemp, Representative from TWU Local 100
0:28:59
·
122 sec
Alexander Kemp, representing TWU Local 100, testifies against Intros 939 and 950, expressing concerns about the impact on bus operator safety and the potential for undermining labor standards in public transportation. He argues that the proposed regulations for dollar van drivers cannot match the high standards required of NYC Transit bus operators.
- Kemp suggests that these bills might be intended to benefit big businesses by creating rideshare programs similar to Uber Express, potentially undermining labor unions.
- He emphasizes that transit workers are essential and often overlooked, urging opposition to the bills and calling for better solutions to improve bus service in New York City.
Alexander Kemp
0:28:59
Good morning.
0:29:00
I My name is Alexander Kemp.
0:29:03
I'm a representative from the TW Local 100.
0:29:06
I'm here in regards to intro 939950.
0:29:10
And as it pertains to bus service, I'm a representative who represents TA Service, which is the Brooklyn Department of Buses.
0:29:18
I will grave concern about these intros or these bills, how they will affect the safety of bus operators pulling into and out of stops, the fact that the standard that we are held to as bus operators in New York City Transit is the highest in the country.
0:29:34
Our medical standards, our training, our responsibility, and the consequences of how we operate can never be matched without any regulation that's being proposed for dollar van drivers.
0:29:46
One of our bigger concerns also from TW Local 100 is that these intros are not ultimately intended to benefit the dollar van drivers or public transportation, but more so to supplement big business with an opportunity to create a rideshare program that will allow people to do what they've done in San Diego with Uber Express, allowing people to use an app to pick up twenty people at a time and transport them in large quantities and do it for cheaper rates and undermine labor.
0:30:19
This consequence will ultimately affect the people that you guys are tasked to represent, protect, and ultimately to benefit the welfare of New York City.
0:30:30
Transit workers are also essential.
0:30:33
Unfortunately, everybody overlooks the consequences that we face and look for means to undermine us, surpass us, and redistribute wealth away from the labor department, the labor unions, and transported into different aspects of big business.
0:30:50
So I asked anybody to oppose these and to consider finding new solutions to get better bus service and make us a better city ultimately.
0:31:01
Thank you.