TWU’s 10-Point Transit Plan For a Reopened New York City

TWU’s 10-Point Transit Plan For a Reopened New York City

NV Maintenance employees contractors for the MTA cleans subway car at 96th street station, last stop of Q line during COVID-19 pandemic – New York, NY: May 6, 2020 (Shutterstock)

Joint Statement by Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Tony Utano, And Transport Workers Union of America International President John Samuelsen

“The Coronavirus has ravaged our country unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes, killing between
80,000 and 110,000 Americans. New York City has been the epicenter, and no workforce has suffered more than transit workers: more than 110 MTA employees have perished, more than 84 of them members of Transport Workers Union Local 100 who operate and maintain the bus and subway system.

“TWU Local 100, assisted by the TWU International, has worked with and fought with the MTA on many issues, ranging from the distribution of masks, the separation of riders from transit workers, the homeless problem in the subway and on buses, and tragically, the death benefits to the families of our fallen union brothers and sisters.

“New York State is starting to ease some pandemic restrictions. The MTA is making plans to increase bus
and subway service. This crisis, however, is far from over. The danger of infection remains, and there is grave
concern about a possible second major wave of infections in the fall.

“At this critical juncture, TWU Local 100 has drafted a 10-point plan for moving forward, starting with the
granting of hazard pay for transit workers.”

1. Hazard Pay – You simply can’t expect transit workers to keep coming to work without first recognizing the sacrifices they have made, the day-to-day conditions they have labored under, and the risks they continue to face
in public service. Thanks and praise are welcome, but simply are not enough.

2. Personal Protective Equipment – No mask, no work. Supplies must stockpiled. Larger sizes available to workers.

3. Testing and Tracing – Testing of TWU Local 100 members in large numbers (testing size to be determined by an expert) with the objective of curtailing the spread of the virus by workers who are asymptomatic. Assessment of the tracing staffing and a determination if there are enough personnel assigned. Hire more if needed.

4. Temperature Checks – Expand the program so any worker can be voluntarily checked before entering the property.

5. Shields – Protective shields completely separating Bus Operators from riders. Barriers that will still allow emergency exiting should also be installed to further isolate Conductors and Train Operators from public passenger
areas in the cars where the workers’ cabs are located. A 6-foot no-approach zone painted on train platforms where Conductors point to the indication board. If a rider enters the zone, Conductors should shut their window.

6. Homeless and Mentally Ill – Humane removal 24-hours a day from the system by police and social workers with referral to necessary services.

7. Reasonable Accommodations – Reasonable accommodations, or assignments, for older workers with pre-existing conditions, including posts inside subway station booths and enclosed security booths.

8. Study, Investigate and Report – Establish an independent panel of medical experts, public health officials, and other occupational health and safety experts, jointly selected by the union and the employer, to investigate and report on why so many transit workers were infected and died. There should be an interim report on how to improve worker safety with recommendations.

9. Cleaning – Mandatory and scheduled (as recommended by the expert panel) decontamination and disinfection of buses, trains, stations and workplaces. Determine how many more cleaners are needed to be hired and any additional training they may require.

10. Riders Masks – Enforcement of a facial covering rule for riders. No mask, no entry.

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