Joseph Gayol, an electrical car maintenance worker, became interested in the rank and file movement in 1978. In anticipation of the 1979 elections, Gayol joined with nine other rank and file transit workers of the 207th Street Shop. They collected grievances as evidence that the Transit Authority and Transport Workers Union leaders were delinquent in providing adequate attention and protection to the transit workers. With the intent of taking the Transit Authority and Transit Workers Union to court, they organized the Health and Safety Committee under the George McDonald slate. Greatly factionalized, each of the contending slates lost their momentum and failed in a united coalition movement.
A combination of racial, political and divisional conflicts prevented the rank and file groups from backing a single slate. As a result, incumbent John Lawe maintained his office as president of Transport Workers Union Local 100, winning 9,781 to 13,076 split among the three rank and file slates.
From the description of Papers, 1972-1980. (New York University). WorldCat record id: 477249163
