Head of NYC union workers urges Trump to dismantle Hochul and eliminate congestion tolls

The head of the group representing New York City’s 300,000 municipal workers is urging President-elect Donald Trump to kill congestion pricing — and says he’s “disappointed” in Governor Kathy Hochul for reviving the controversial plan.

“My advice to President Trump is to keep his campaign pledge. Stop it!” Harry Nespoli saidChairman of Municipal Corporation Labor Committee and also leader of Safai Karmachari Union.

The MLC represents a large portion of the city’s workforce – including police, firefighters, physicians and teachers – thousands of whom are assigned to the congested toll zone and have been working since January 5 in Manhattan south of 60th Street. There will be a fee of $9 to drive.

“Trump’s opposition to congestion pricing helped him join the workers During the campaign. “This is an issue that activists care about,” Nespoli told The Post on Wednesday.

“I want President Trump to stop congestion pricing. If he can do it, I want him to do it.”

MLC supports the still-pending federal lawsuit filed by the United Federation of Teachers union to stop congestion tolls.

Nespoli said he was “disappointed” and surprised by Hochul’s change – congestion pricing was suspended in June and then revived after the November 5 election, though with little effort to curb gridlock and fund the MTA. To help, the initial toll was reduced from $15 to $9. Capital planning.

“I’m disappointed that Hochul did this so fast. I don’t know why he stopped it and started it again.

He suggested Hochul could move quickly on congestion pricing, making it more difficult for Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, to end it.

last week, 78 year old Trump blasted Congestion pricing has been characterized as a “mass tax”.

“I have great respect for New York Governor Kathy Hochul and look forward to working with her to make New York and America great again. But I completely disagree with the decision on the congestion tax,” Trump said.

“It will put New York City at a disadvantage compared to competing cities and states, and businesses will flee,” he said, “It will hurt workers, families and businesses, but especially any loss related to jobs.” This is the most regressive tax known to womankind (men!).

Hochul and MTA announced tolls last week will take effect On January 5, a plan called for increasing the fee to $12 by 2028 and $15 by 2031.

The bottom line, Nespoli said, is that Hochul did not grant the waiver. front line workers Those who drive to jobs in Manhattan claimed that some of them have no choice but to drive rather than take mass transit.

“We have staff who have to go to Manhattan to take care of people in New York City,” Nespoli said.

“How much more do you want to spend on city workers? It doesn’t make any sense.”

Last week, teachers Union President Mike Mulgrew The post-election revival of congestion pricing was dismissed as “tone deaf”.

“I didn’t expect to see the Democrats do this a week after the election. This is madness! Stop harassing the working class!” Mulgrew said.

Hochul said through a representative on Wednesday that his office had called for a “40%” reduction in tolls.

Hochul spokesperson Sam Spokony said, “Public sector workers are among the vast majority of commuters who rely on subways and buses, and Governor Hochul’s plan will improve commutes for millions of transit riders – while cutting tolls by 40%. There will be a shortage.”

“While others have yet to put forward a real plan for less congestion and faster transit for New Yorkers, the Governor is making the tough calls to deliver a more affordable plan that moves our state and economy forward. “

A law approved by the then Government. Andrew Cuomo and the Democratic-run legislature in 2019 MTA authorized Charging congestion tolls aimed at curbing traffic in Midtown and providing a new funding stream for the transit agency.