‘Leaders are on the front lines’: Mayor attends moving Staten Island tribute for MTA workers who died of COVID

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Over 100 people, including Mayor Eric Adams, gathered at the Charleston Bus Depot Thursday to honor dozens of MTA New York City Transit workers who died as a result of the coronavirus.

The 27 essential workers honored on Thursday were members of either the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), the United Transit Leadership Organization (UTLO) or the Subway-Surface Supervisors Association.

“It’s a blessing to be here, and it’s nice to know that he was loved by so many people. I just wish he was here,” said Barbara Williams, the mother of Kiyoto “Breeze” Williams, who died from COVID-19 on April 30, 2020, at the age of 47.

Williams was a member of ATU Local 726 and a bus operator who served Staten Islanders for 23 years.

His mother received a certification of recognition in honor of her son for his two decades of extraordinary service to Staten Island from state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and District Attorney Michael McMahon’s office. Many family members of the fallen MTA transit workers were presented with memorial recognition awards. And the names of the 27 essential workers were read aloud, followed by a moment of silence.

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