New TWU President Gets Emotional At Swearing In

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The newly elected president of the Philadelphia Transport Workers Union Local 34 was sworn into office today, and the ceremony was emotional for new president John Johnson Jr.

This election and the swearing-in ceremony hit close to home for Johnson. He was in tears at times as he spoke:

"My mother worked at TWA 1040. She was a member of that local for almost 30 years. My father is not here. A retired member of Laborers 135 who is dying from asbestos. I'm a product of the labor movement. I am labor."

Johnson promises to be an advocate of change, and he has plans to do so:

"More involvement in state government and local government. We want to be advocates for our local, and we know that in order to incite change, you have to be involved in those areas. And also talking to SEPTA management, letting them know that we are here for them. They don't co-exist without us and vice versa. We need one another."

Johnson defeated former president Willie Brown, who last year led SEPTA employees on a strike.

Reported By Michelle Durham, KYW Newsradio