TWU Local 100 Ransomware Data Breach Class Action Lawsuit, Were Your Records Stolen?

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against official court filings, Lynch Carpenter LLP’s Globe Newswire announcement, and Cybernews investigative reporting on April 25, 2026. Last Updated: April 25, 2026

Transport Workers Union of America Local 100 is facing a class action lawsuit filed in New York after a cybersecurity incident may have compromised the personal information of its 67,000 active and retired members. The Qilin ransomware gang claimed responsibility, leaking over 700,000 files — totaling 551 GB of data — onto the dark web, putting NYC transit workers and retirees at heightened risk of identity theft and fraud. If you are a current or former TWU Local 100 member, your most sensitive personal and financial data may already be in the wrong hands.

Quick Facts: TWU Local 100 Data Breach Lawsuit

Field	Detail
Lawsuit Filed	February 2026
Defendant	Transport Workers Union of America, Local 100 Chapter
Alleged Violation	Failure to implement adequate cybersecurity measures, violating FTC guidelines and industry data protection standards
Who Is Affected	Approximately 67,000 active and retired NYC transit workers
Threat Actor	Qilin ransomware group
Data Published	700,277 files — 551 GB — leaked to the dark web as of February 27, 2026
Current Court Stage	Active litigation — class action filed, pre-certification stage
Court & Jurisdiction	Kings County Supreme Court, New York (Case No. 506713/2026)
Lead Law Firm Investigating	Lynch Carpenter, LLP (Pittsburgh, PA)
Next Hearing Date	TBD — no hearing date set as of publication
Official Case Website	TBD — no settlement administrator appointed; monitor court docket
Last Updated	April 25, 2026

What Is the TWU Local 100 Data Breach Lawsuit About? Blocker v. Transport Workers Union Local 100, No. 506713/2026

The class action lawsuit alleges that TWU Local 100 failed to implement adequate cybersecurity measures, resulting in a ransomware attack that compromised the personally identifiable information of approximately 67,000 individuals, violating FTC guidelines and industry standards for data protection. The union held sensitive records on tens of thousands of NYC transit workers — people who operate and maintain the city’s subways, buses, and other transit services — and the plaintiffs allege it did not take the steps necessary to protect that data.

Qilin, the most active ransomware gang of 2025, added TWU Local 100 to its dark web victim blog on February 23, 2026, claiming to have already published data siphoned from the union’s systems. According to the TWU Local 100 website, the personally identifiable information collected and retained in its systems ranges from basic contact details, job titles, and salary information, to medical and insurance benefits, retirement and pension planning, housing assistance, safety and health records, grievances and disciplinary actions, union scholarship programs, and childcare, widows, and orphan funding. That is not a routine data set — it is a comprehensive portrait of a worker’s life, and it was allegedly left unprotected.

Related article: Child & Family Services of the Upper Peninsula Data Breach Lawsuit Investigation, Were Your Records Exposed?

Exposure of this type of information significantly increases the threat of identity theft, benefit diversion scams, tax refund fraud, pension withdrawal schemes, and social engineering campaigns targeting members. If you are a TWU Local 100 member, this breach is not a distant corporate data incident — it is your salary, your benefits, your pension, and your medical records that may now be circulating on the dark web. For a detailed comparison of how similar ransomware-driven data breach class actions against large organizations have progressed, see our coverage of the Conduent data breach class action affecting 25 million victims.

Are You Part of the TWU Local 100 Class Action Lawsuit?

Here is how to know whether this lawsuit includes you. Read through each point carefully.

You may be part of this class if:

• You are a current or former active transit worker who held membership in TWU Local 100 at any time before the breach was discovered in February 2026
• You are a retired transit worker whose records were maintained in TWU Local 100’s systems
• Your work involved operating or maintaining New York City subways, buses, or other transit services, or you worked at private bus or ferry companies represented by Local 100
• You received a breach notification letter or email from TWU Local 100 about the cybersecurity incident
• Your personal records — including contact information, salary data, medical benefits, pension information, or disciplinary records — were stored in the union’s systems

You are likely NOT included if:

• You were a transit worker represented by a different union chapter or a different collective bargaining representative
• You have no documented employment relationship or membership with TWU Local 100

The Local 100 chapter of the TWU represents approximately 41,000 active New York City transit workers and 26,000 retirees — meaning the potential class spans essentially the entire current and former workforce the union represents. You do not need to take any action to join the class at this stage. If the court certifies the class, all qualifying members will receive formal notice.

What Are TWU Local 100 Plaintiffs Seeking in This Lawsuit?

The plaintiffs are not seeking a token payment. They are asking the court to hold TWU Local 100 accountable for what they allege was a preventable failure to protect some of the most sensitive personal and financial records workers entrust to their union.

The lawsuit alleges that TWU Local 100 failed to implement adequate cybersecurity measures, resulting in a ransomware attack that violated FTC guidelines and industry standards for data protection. Under that legal theory, plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages for the harm caused by the exposure — including compensation for identity theft risk, time spent monitoring and protecting their personal information, and any actual financial losses resulting from the breach. The complaint also seeks injunctive relief requiring the union to overhaul its data security practices so this cannot happen again.

No specific dollar settlement amount has been confirmed — this lawsuit is in active litigation, and no claim form or settlement fund exists yet. What is clear is that data breach class action lawsuits of this type — involving ransomware attacks, sensitive employee data, and allegations of negligence — have regularly resulted in meaningful settlements. For example, a similar ransomware attack against Patelco Credit Union resulted in a $7.25 million data breach settlement for approximately one million affected members. The TWU Local 100 case involves a smaller class but comparably sensitive data — salary, medical benefits, pension records, and disciplinary files — that courts have consistently recognized as creating real, compensable harm.

What Should You Do If You Were Affected by the TWU Local 100 Data Breach?

You cannot file a claim yet — no settlement exists. But the steps you take right now can protect you from real harm and position you to receive compensation if this case resolves.

Protect yourself immediately. Potential victims should be cautious with incoming emails, especially those claiming to be from the TWU and carrying a sense of urgency — this is a common tactic used by criminals who buy stolen data. Do not click links or call phone numbers in any unexpected messages claiming to be from your union or a related organization.

Freeze your credit. Because salary, pension, and benefit data was potentially exposed, your financial identity is at elevated risk. Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion individually to place a credit freeze — it is free, it prevents new accounts from being opened in your name, and it does not affect your existing accounts or credit score.

Monitor your accounts closely. Watch for unusual activity on your bank accounts, pension accounts, and health insurance accounts. Exposure of this type of information increases the risk of benefit diversion scams and pension withdrawal schemes — contact your benefits administrator if anything looks unfamiliar.

Save every record you have. Keep any breach notification letters or emails from TWU Local 100. Document any suspicious activity, unusual charges, or identity theft incidents with dates and amounts. These records establish your connection to the case and support any future compensation claim.

You do not need to do anything to be included in the class action right now. Most class members are automatically covered once a class is certified. If you want to explore individual legal options — especially if you have already suffered documented financial harm — a data breach compensation attorney can evaluate your situation in a free legal consultation.

TWU Local 100 Data Breach Lawsuit Timeline

Milestone	Date
Qilin Ransomware Attack Claimed	February 23, 2026
Dark Web Data Published	February 23–27, 2026
700,277 Files (551 GB) Leaked	February 27, 2026
TWU Local 100 Acknowledges Breach	February 2026
Class Action Filed (Blocker v. TWU Local 100)	February 25, 2026
Lynch Carpenter Investigation Announced	February 25, 2026
Class Certification Motion	TBD — not yet filed as of April 25, 2026
Next Scheduled Court Hearing	TBD — no date set as of publication
Expected Settlement Timeline	TBD — data breach class actions of this type typically resolve in 12–36 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a class action lawsuit against TWU Local 100 for the data breach? 

Yes. A data breach class action, Thomas Blocker Jr v. Transport Workers Union Local 100, Case No. 506713/2026, was filed in Kings County Supreme Court, alleging that TWU Local 100 failed to implement adequate cybersecurity measures, resulting in a ransomware attack that compromised the personally identifiable information of approximately 67,000 individuals.

Do I need to do anything right now to be included in the TWU Local 100 lawsuit? 

No. Class actions automatically cover qualifying members once the court certifies the class. You do not need to register, file, or pay anyone at this stage. If the case settles, you will receive formal notice with instructions on how to file a claim and get your share of any legal settlement payout.

When will a settlement be reached in the TWU Local 100 case? 

There is no settlement timeline yet. The lawsuit was filed in February 2026 and remains in early litigation. Data breach class actions of this complexity — involving a ransomware attack, protected health information, and a large class of victims — typically take one to three years to resolve. Do not expect a settlement or payout in 2026.

Can I file my own individual lawsuit against TWU Local 100 instead? 

You can consult a consumer rights lawyer about individual legal options. If you have already suffered documented financial harm — identity theft, unauthorized account access, fraudulent benefit claims — an individual lawsuit may be worth evaluating. For most members, staying in the class action is the more practical path. A free legal consultation can help you decide what is right for your situation.

How will I know if the TWU Local 100 lawsuit settles?

 If a settlement is reached and approved by the court, all identified class members will receive formal notice by mail or email. The notice will explain the settlement terms, how much you may receive, and how to file your claim. You can also monitor the Kings County Supreme Court docket for case updates using Case No. 506713/2026.

What specific data was stolen in the TWU Local 100 breach?

 In the incident, an unauthorized person gained access to TWU Local 100’s network and may have acquired records containing personally identifiable information and protected health information, including individuals’ names combined with contact information, job titles, salary information, medical and insurance benefits, housing assistance details, safety and health records, and grievances and disciplinary actions.

Who is the Qilin ransomware group that attacked TWU Local 100?

 Qilin is a Russia-linked ransomware gang that operates a ransomware-as-a-service model, enabling affiliates to deploy its malware and leverage its support infrastructure in exchange for a cut of any ransom collected. The group was the most active ransomware gang of 2025 and has continued targeting high-value organizations in 2026, including government agencies, healthcare providers, and now unions.

What makes unions a target for ransomware attacks like this? 

Unions are often a high-value target for ransomware operators due to the prolific amounts of sensitive data held on workers, including pensions, salaries, benefits, and disciplinary files. Unlike a retail data breach involving email addresses and payment cards, a union breach exposes the kind of comprehensive personal and financial records that enable sophisticated, targeted fraud — making the data far more valuable on criminal markets.

Sources & References

• Lynch Carpenter, LLP Investigation Announcement via Globe Newswire (February 25, 2026): https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/02/25/3244914/0/en/TWU-Local-100-Data-Breach-Claims-Investigated-by-Lynch-Carpenter.html
• Blocker v. Transport Workers Union Local 100, No. 506713/2026, Kings County Supreme Court — via Law.com Radar: https://www.law.com/radar/card/newyork-kings-2914492-thomas-blocker-jr-v-transport-workers-union-local-100

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.