That’s What Happens When You Have Seven Vice Presidents

Meanwhile, that whole TWU contract vote is still happening and the final tally may be closer than previously thought:

Unleashing a flurry of telegrams, phone calls and threats, transit-union boss Roger Toussaint stepped up his aggressive campaign to convince bus and subway workers to approve the contract for which they waged an illegal strike.

Although most union leaders say they expect the contract to pass when the ballots are counted and the results announced tomorrow, some say the count will be much closer than the 60-40 percent margins of previous elections.

In an effort to rein in the opposition, Toussaint sent a memo to the union’s seven elected vice presidents and more than 100 other staff members threatening to dock their pay if they speak out against the contract.

Ainsley Stewart, a TWU vice president, said Toussaint docked him a week’s pay — $1,701 — for his outspoken opposition.

“I don’t understand, this is America,” Stewart said.

Stewart and others said they plan to fight over the cash.

“I don’t care what he says, nobody is going to mess with my money,” said John Mooney, another TWU vice president.

Apparently there is a great deal of dissent among Local 100’s seven vice presidents:

In 2002, Toussaint controlled most of the vice presidents and opposition was minimal, union leaders said.

“Back then he was able to ignore or get rid of the opposition,” Mooney said. “This time around it has been much harder for him.”

Leaders said they found it troubling that the union president would prevent members from having an open debate on the merits of the contract. “He’s determined to keep people in the dark about other viewpoints,” Stewart said.

Toussaint’s allies defended the blackout on dissension.

“We’re not going to pay for someone to work against us,” a source close to Toussaint said.