John Chiarello (TWU Local 100 President) testifies opposing ban

So good afternoon, City Council members.

Good afternoon, Julie-Menin, Ms.

Shulman, Chair.

I'm John Chiarello, president of TW Local 100.

I represent 44,000 union members across this great city.

And I also proudly represent the horse and carriage industry.

First, I would like to give my sincerest condolences to the family of Raminash Naharan, killed in an accident last month, tragic and unforeseen.

Our hearts go out to him and his family.

My members in the horse and carriage industry are mostly immigrant workers and laborers that are in Central Park.

What about my members'American dream?

Councilman Marte was nice enough to give statistics on the industry.

Let's talk about racetracks.

That in the last 10 years, 10,000 horses have died in racetracks.

I don't see anything happening there.

Let's talk about the food delivery services that run right past this building that nearly ran me down and maim and kill people every single day.

Electric bikes, Amazon boxes that are propelled by electric means that do not have a license on them.

Nobody's talking about that.

But this small microcosm of an industry that has been iconic to Central Park is now under attack, and it's been under attack for quite some time.

There's a 165-year history.

I would put them up against any other means of transportation, and I all but guarantee you that they've done worse.

The other people that aren't my people.

Uber, pedestrians are run down all the time.

Are we banning Uber?

No, we're not.

So where is the justice?

The animal rights advocates talk about the horses not being treated fairly.

That's another misrepresentation.

They get fed and they get five weeks of vacation.

I am asking the city council to table.

Hey, decorum in the room.

That's all right.

Everybody has their moment.

I've been very patient, so I'm going to finish this.

I'm asking the City Council to table this and also take up Councilman Gennaro's offer of making a safer place in Central Park.

This is, the horse and carriage business has been around before the city was even incorporated.

It's part of the history of this city, and it would be a shame for tourism to annihilate them in one swoop of the hand.

And as far as union jobs, I don't even know what the...

that looks like, and I don't know what it is, but if you're a horse and carriage driver, I don't think you wanna be a host at a Racino.

I don't think you're looking to do hotel bell hopping or reception.

So I would caution the council on what they put in this bill.

And speak with the union, Local 100.

We move this city, and I want to thank everybody for their time.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Who's next on the panel?

Okay.