Union Vice President Suspended After Attempting to Punish Elected Official Over Personal Dispute

An incident involving a union leader’s unlawful efforts to discipline an elected union representative has led to his suspension and removal from office. John Paul “JP” Patafio, Vice President of TWU Local 100’s Brooklyn bus division, attempted to demote a fellow union rep involved in a personal controversy at a Queens depot. The union’s disciplinary trial committee clarified that Patafio lacked the authority to unilaterally remove an elected official without formal charges and a proper trial process.

The conflict was rooted in allegations that the union rep was involved in an affair with another bus driver at the same depot, prompting Patafio to demand that the male rep cease his alleged infidelity. Instead of following official procedures, Patafio tried to suspend the union member for six months without filing disciplinary charges. The committee suggested his actions might have been influenced by internal union politics, specifically a disputed election for a vacant position.

The committee’s chairman, Michael Capocci, noted that the motivation behind the attempted disciplinary action was irrelevant to the constitutional violation. The panel recommended that Patafio be removed from his position as Vice President and placed in bad standing for three years.

Patafio criticized the decision, calling it “absurd” and “stupefying,” and expressed frustration over being penalized for intervening in a personal matter he believed was unfairly targeting his colleague. He emphasized that he was removed as if he were the one caught cheating and accused the union of rewarding the actual “cheater.”

This ruling bars him from running for union office for three years, a punishment expected to be upheld by union authorities. Patafio remains outspoken against what he describes as unjust treatment within his union.