MTA workers face the dangers of verbal harassment, physical assaults, and threats from passengers, individuals experiencing mental health crises, and others daily. These risks are unacceptable, and we must take bold steps to ensure the protection, support, and recognition of our transit workers who face these hazards. The Worker Safety and Dignity agenda outlines a comprehensive plan to provide meaningful protections, financial security, and public acknowledgment for those who are attacked or injured while on duty.

This agenda addresses both immediate needs—like hazard compensation and medical support—and long-term goals—such as career development, pension boosts, and public recognition. We must protect those who keep our city moving.

Service Time Reductions

MTA employees who face violence while on duty should not be required to work the same number of years to qualify for retirement as those who don’t experience such incidents. Their service time should reflect the physical, emotional, and psychological toll of such events. The Service Time Reductions component of this agenda ensures that workers can retire earlier based on the severity of the attack they faced.

• One-year service reduction: For any employee who is forced to take medical leave or requires extended recovery time due to an on-duty attack.

• Two-year service reduction: For more severe incidents that result in hospitalization or long-term disability, employees will be eligible for a two-year reduction in service time.

• Immediate retirement with full benefits: Employees who suffer permanent disability as a result of an attack will have the option to retire immediately with full benefits.

These reductions are designed to provide workers with the opportunity to retire earlier without losing their benefits, recognizing the toll that workplace violence takes on their physical and mental health.

Progressive Risk Compensation

Financial compensation for MTA workers who face violence should directly reflect the severity of the incident. Progressive Risk Compensation will establish a tiered compensation system based on the type and impact of the incident. The compensation workers receive will increase with the seriousness of the attack, ensuring that those who face the greatest danger are adequately supported.

• Moderate incidents: Employees who experience moderate incidents, such as non-life-threatening assaults or minor injuries, will receive a lump sum equal to 50% of their monthly salary.

• Severe incidents: Employees who suffer from severe incidents, including hospitalization or life-altering injuries, will receive a lump sum equal to 100% of their monthly salary. Additionally, they will receive ongoing salary compensation for the entire duration of their recovery.

This tiered system ensures that financial relief is provided immediately to support the worker and their family, allowing them to focus on their recovery without the added stress of financial instability. By linking compensation to the severity of the incident, we ensure that the most vulnerable are fully supported.

Pension Boosts

For MTA workers who experience severe or life-altering attacks, returning to their previous roles may not be possible. In such cases, it’s essential to ensure their retirement remains financially secure. Pension Boosts provide additional financial support to workers who are permanently impacted by workplace violence.

• Increased pension benefits: Employees who cannot return to full duty due to injuries sustained from an on-duty attack will receive an increase in their pension benefits to secure their long-term financial future.

By boosting pension benefits, we provide stability and peace of mind for workers who have given their careers to serving the public and now face uncertain futures due to their injuries. This safeguard will protect the financial well-being of these workers and their families.

Retraining + Career Development

Some workers may not wish to return to the same role after experiencing repeated or severe attacks, but they shouldn’t have to choose between their safety and their career. A paid Retraining and Career Development program would offer workers the opportunity to transition into safer positions within the MTA without losing their pay or seniority.

• Education and retraining opportunities: Employees who have faced severe incidents will be eligible for retraining programs that prepare them for lower-risk roles within the MTA. These opportunities will be fully paid & replace current duties, ensuring that workers don’t have to pay out-of-pocket or learn on their own time for these career shifts.

• No loss of pay: Workers transitioning into safer roles will not lose their current salary within the MTA if the role happens to be a lower paid role in transit.

This program will allow workers to continue their careers in positions that are less hazardous, offering them a chance to move forward without the fear of financial or professional setbacks.

Increased Police Presence

Ensuring the safety of MTA workers is not only about financial compensation—it’s also about proactive measures to prevent violence from occurring in the first place. This agenda advocates for a more active police presence in transit systems, particularly in high-risk areas and during late-night shifts. Increased patrols and quicker response times can help deter violence and provide immediate assistance to workers and passengers alike:

• Increased police patrols: Advocating for more officers to be assigned to MTA transit systems, especially in areas with higher crime rates or during peak hours when violence is more likely to occur.

• Rapid response teams: Ensuring that transit officers are trained to respond quickly and effectively to violent incidents, providing immediate protection for workers and passengers.

An enhanced police presence will create a safer environment for both workers and riders, reducing the likelihood of attacks and ensuring swift intervention when incidents do occur.

Protections for Self-Defense

MTA workers must be allowed to protect themselves in dangerous situations without fear of punishment. This agenda emphasizes the need for clear protections for employees who engage in self-defense during an attack. Workers should not face disciplinary action or legal repercussions for defending themselves when their safety is at risk:

• Non-punitive policies for self-defense: Advocating for policy changes that protect workers from disciplinary action or prosecution when acting in non-lethal self-defense during an on-duty attack.

• Legal support for workers: Ensuring that MTA employees have access to legal assistance if they are involved in self-defense incidents, protecting them from unjust penalties or legal battles.

These protections will empower workers to defend themselves when necessary, without the fear of facing punishment or job loss.

Civic Honors and Recognition

Beyond financial support, MTA workers who put their safety on the line to keep our transit system running deserve formal public acknowledgment. The Civic Honors and Recognition Program will ensure that these workers are publicly recognized for their bravery and dedication to serving the public, particularly in hazardous conditions.

• Public commendations and civic awards: Each year, workers who have faced violence or severe incidents on duty will be honored with formal public recognition, including civic awards and commendations for their service.

• Tax credits: As an additional acknowledgment of their sacrifices, workers will also receive tax credits for their service under dangerous conditions.

This program ensures that the community acknowledges and celebrates the contributions of transit workers who face extraordinary risks in their roles. Public recognition helps foster respect for MTA workers and emphasizes the importance of their work in keeping the city running smoothly.

Conclusion

The Worker Safety and Dignity agenda is a robust framework for protecting and supporting MTA employees who face violence while on duty. Through service time reductions, progressive risk compensation, pension boosts, retraining opportunities, and public honors, this agenda provides both immediate relief and long-term security for the men and women who serve our city’s transit system. By implementing these measures, we not only protect our workers’ well-being but also recognize the essential role they play in keeping our city moving.

This agenda ensures that MTA workers who are harmed on the job receive the financial support, professional opportunities, and public acknowledgment they deserve, allowing them to focus on their recovery and continue serving the public with dignity and security.