When Labor Turns Its Back on Democrats

A powerful transit union refuses to endorse Governor Hochul, calling her the ‘Bosses’ Governor.’ It’s a warning shot that could reshape New York politics.

The Snub That Stings

The Transport Workers Union didn’t support Hochul in her last election and has been engaged in a contract dispute with the state Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Now John Samuelsen, who leads 60,000 subway, rail, bus and airline workers across New York, has delivered an even sharper blow. His union won’t back her re-election bid at all.

“Centuries ago, St. Patrick famously drove Ireland’s snakes into the sea, purging the Emerald Island of these reptiles forever, but he missed one — now we wish St. Patrick would come back and rid New York of Governor Kathy Hochul,” Samuelsen said in a scathing advertisement. The message was clear: this isn’t just politics. It’s personal.

The Fight Over Train Crews

The breaking point came in December when Hochul vetoed a bill requiring conductors on all subway trains. In December 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation that mandated two-person crews. The union argued conductor-less trains are unsafe. Hochul said the bill would cost $10 million annually and limit the MTA’s ability to modernize.

“It’s a brutal attack on blue-collar workers,” TWU International President John Samuelsen said. “It’s absolutely mind-boggling that the face of the NYS Democratic Party would try to inflict such economic and quality-of-life damage on union workers.” The veto wasn’t just policy disagreement. It felt like betrayal.

Beyond Party Lines

In a somewhat rare occurrence for labor, the Transport Workers Union endorsed two Republican members of Congress for reelection last year. TWU International President John Samuelsen said both Rep. Mike Lawler and then-Rep. Marc Molinaro had demonstrated their commitment to union priorities.

“The theory is the Democrats are allowed to be for shite for working people and yet the trade unions would be expected to continue to support them because they’re the lesser of the evils,” Samuelsen said. “That’s the theory. And we completely reject that theory.” It’s a philosophy that could reshape labor politics across the country.

The Bigger Picture

Democrats around the country are grappling with a shift away from the party by the working class, which has traditionally made up a key part of Democrats’ coalition. Samuelsen’s revolt isn’t happening in isolation. It’s part of a broader reckoning.

“When workers see Democrats acting like Republicans, they actually vote for Republicans. They don’t get fooled,” he said. “The Democrats are supposed to stand up for working people.” The warning is stark: take workers for granted at your own peril.

What Comes Next

While the international union stays neutral, local affiliates can still choose their own path. Hundreds of union members and officers joined TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano at the Union Hall on Monday to give the union’s endorsement to Gov. Kathy Hochul for a full four-year term. That was in 2022. Things have changed.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that subway crime is at the lowest level in 16 years, a remarkable feat as post-pandemic ridership continues to grow. The governor deserves the thanks of all New Yorkers, especially members of TWU Local 100, for the strides she has made in bringing down subway crime. Some bridges remain unburned. But trust, once broken, takes time to rebuild.