Richard Davis, the president of New York City’s largest transit worker union, TWU Local 100, has abruptly gone on sick leave — a move multiple sources say comes amid efforts to force the union boss from his job less than 3 weeks after his re-election.
It was unclear exactly what Davis’ official status in the union was Thursday — but multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal union matters, told the Daily News that Davis’ departure was in the works and he was effectively no longer leading the city’s largest transit union.
An email sent to Local 100 members Wednesday afternoon by Charise Syville-Walls, Davis’ senior executive assistant, said simply that the union boss “is out sick until further notice,” The same explanation was repeated by a Local 100 spokesperson.
It was not immediately clear who was in charge of the 40,000 member union — which represents the bulk of New York City’s subway and bus workers — Thursday.
Davis, who started his transit career as a bus driver in 1996, was first elected to Local 100’s top spot in 2022.
In December of 2023, Davis was accused in a law suit of beating up another bus driver with whom he was romantically involved. The woman accused Davis of punching her in the head and placing her in a headlock during an argument in 2015, and assaulting her again in 2016.
Davis has denied all allegations, and the lawsuit is ongoing.
The union head was re-elected earlier this year, and sworn in as local president on January 6.