Transit workers union president condemns pattern of violent assaults against bus and subway workers
John Chiarello, the president of the TWU Local 100, says they're reinstating and expanding safety committees for bus and subway workers.
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A New York City bus driver is recovering in the hospital Monday afternoon, after a violent assault over the weekend.
Johnny Rodriguez, 59, was driving his normal route on Riverdale and Ellsworth avenues Saturday night when he crashed into a truck.
The Transport Workers Union said moments later, the unidentified driver punched, choked, and violently slammed Rodriguez to the ground.
"There was serious injuries to his head area, which included the brain. And he's still at the hospital," said John Chiarello, president of the TWU Local 100.
One day earlier, another MTA employee, a 58-year-old train conductor, was attacked on the job.
According to investigators, the man was punched, choked and cut across the face.
"In both cases, they didn't get the perpetrators. But they will," said Chiarello.
In response to the pattern of assaults, Chiarello told News 12 the union will be reinstating and expanding safety committees for both bus operators and subway workers.
"We're going to go around to different depots and different stations and probably bring around the chief of police for the MTA to talk about what we can do to make it safer," he said.
Riders waiting to board the bus on Riverdale Avenue said passenger and worker safety should be a top priority.
Detectives said the investigation in both cases is still ongoing.
