Transit union boss accepts national post

A CAREER that began on the subway rails took a new direction Thursday when John Samuelsen resigned as president of the city’s transit union to run the national organization.

Samuelsen announced his decision to step down as president of Transport Workers Local 100 two days after winning the national presidency in a landslide.

“My heart remains down there on the subway tracks and in the depots, stations and car barns and shops with my brothers and sisters of TWU Local 100,” Samuelsen said in his resignation letter.

“My parting words of wisdom to the leaders of our great local: Strive to build coalitions among each other and keep your eyes on the real enemy — the bosses.”

The fiery goodbye was in character for Samuelsen, 50. who made his bones in the TWU while laboring as a subway track worker.

The native Brooklynite from Gerritsen Beach joined NYC Transit in 1993 and established himself early on as a vocal critic of unsafe conditions for track workers.