Menin questions TWU on driver salary, benefits, and training

First of all, I really want to thank this panel.

We hear the emotion and passion in your voice for this.

John, a couple, thank you for being here.

A couple questions for you.

Could you, there's been some testimony today about salary.

Could you sort of really clarify this?

What is the average driver's salary?

What are the benefits that are offered to the drivers as well?

So the average salary is anywhere from $65,000 to $70,000.

Now, as far as the benefits, understand there's an independent portion to this thing.

They're not civil servants, so we're not able to bargain.

We're actually bargaining with the city council.

That's what we're doing.

So they're an association under our...

Our charter.

And as far as benefits, we could offer them dental and eyeglass.

The major medical is a whole different issue.

Is there a collective bargaining agreement that covers the city's horse carriage drivers currently?

None that I know of other than the charter that allows them into Central Park.

Okay.

And after the fatal incident, TWU issued a statement calling for an increase in carriage driver training and implementation of more rigorous testing of driver applicants.

What is the union's position on the city's existing testing and oversight?

Well, testing and oversight is great, but we've also went above and beyond.

We have a whole safety department.

We've collaborated with our shop steward, Christine, in making sure that all the members who you've heard testimony from, and most of them are here today,

You know, this is their livelihood, and I don't think that they take it for granted.

And accidents do happen, as we always say, and I cry like everyone for the family, the Maharaj.

It's a horrible, horrible, horrible thing, and there's no question about it.

You mentioned at the beginning about other modes of transportation, e-bikes, etc.

I do want to say, and I want to respond to that, the council and pedicabs, which I know Council Member Brewer has also been very focused on.

as well.

Council is deeply committed to reforming the pedicab industry, dealing with the fact that so many operators are unlicensed or overcharging tourists.

We're committed to focus on the e-bike legislation.

We have a package of bills we're about to be introducing on that.

So I do just want to clarify that because we are very focused on those modes of modality as well.

And I just end by saying, and I've been saying this from the beginning,

We are committed to ensuring your workers'livelihood.

The council, when we understand that right now the language in the bill talks about worker training, we know that there needs to be additional language negotiated.

And so we look forward to sitting with you and your members and doing just that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Speaker Menon.

Councilmember Gennaro?