COVID19 Update: Letter to Commissioner Campion on CWA Demands

(Download a PDF copy here)

Communications
Workers of America
AFL-CIO, DISTRICT 1

Christopher Shelton
President

Dennis G. Trainor
Vice President
District 1

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

March 26, 2020
Ms. Renee Campion
Commissioner
Mayor’s Office of Labor Relations
40 Rector Street
New York, NY 10006

Dear Commissioner Campion:
I write regarding the current status of nearly 3,000 New York City Traffic Enforcement Agents and Supervisors represented by the Communications Workers of America.

The members of CWA Local 1181 and CWA Local 1182 have been deemed “essential employees” and required to continue their duties during this frightening health crisis. I am hard-pressed to understand how writing parking tickets is considered “essential” under the current circumstances. But at the direction of the Mayor and the NYPD, these workers are putting their own health, and the health of their families, at risk in order to serve the people of New York City. 

Despite repeatedly being told during past rounds of collective bargaining that Traffic Agents and Supervisors are “civilian employees” who are not entitled to the superior pay treatment accorded to their uniformed co-workers at the New York City Police Department, these workers are now clearly being classified as “first responders.” Furthermore, they routinely interact with the general public, they lack appropriate personal protective equipment, and lack readily accessible places to go to the bathroom or eat lunch due to the closure of stores and restaurants. And they are expected to be at the ready in case of emergency. As you know, Traffic Agents and Supervisors are among the lowest-paid workers employed by the City. Fairness dictates that they receive supplemental compensation for their special service in this situation.

Therefore, I am hereby requesting that all members of Local 1181 and Local 1182 receive a 25% compensation supplement for the duration of the emergency. I believe that such “hazard pay” is appropriate compensation for the extraordinary dangers to which these workers are being exposed, and the extraordinary responsibilities they are shouldering.

In addition, in terms of protecting the health of our members and their families, I demand the following:

• Any worker who has symptoms associated with Covid-19 (fever, persistent dry cough, shortness of breath, etc.) should be allowed to take paid time off, without a doctor’s note, and this should not be charged against regular vacation or sick time. No distinction should be made between workers who have regular sick time on the books or not. The goal should be to get contagious workers out of the work location without fear of going unpaid.
• Workers who have underlying medical conditions including but not limited to pulmonary disease, heart disease or diabetes should be affirmatively excused from work as long as the crisis persists. Contracting Covid-19 could be a death sentence for these workers, and special arrangements must be established to enable these workers to stay at home, with full pay, in this situation.
• Additional paid time off must be granted for breaks and lunch. As mentioned above, the closure of restaurants and stores has made it extremely difficult for workers to find bathrooms or places to have lunch while in the field. While we appreciate the addition of 15 minutes to paid lunch time, this is inadequate. I understand that from Mayor de Blasio on down, every member of this Administration is doing everything humanly possible to ensure that the impact of Covid-19 on this great city is minimized. I am deeply appreciative of this leadership. I only ask that our rank and file members who find themselves in this extraordinary situation be recognized financially for the tremendous sacrifices they are making.

I look forward to hearing from you as promptly as possible.

Sincerely,

Dennis G. Trainor
Vice President, CWA District One

cc: The Honorable Bill de Blasio
Gabriel Schnake-Mahl, Deputy Chief of Staff
William Gallagher, CWA Area Director