Expanding Transit Worker Protection Programs - TransitCenter

Expanding Transit Worker Protection Programs

Click here to watch a recording of the event.

The transit workforce has been especially hard hit by COVID-19. Along with protective equipment like N95 masks and hand sanitizer, expanded sick leave and quarantine policies are an indispensable tool to protect these workers.

In response to the virus, many agencies have amended their sick leave policies, enabling workers who are sick or may have been exposed to remain home without worrying about lost pay. But most of these measures won’t last as long as the projected duration of elevated risk due to COVID-19. Absent stronger sick leave policies, transit workers may be forced to make an “impossible choice”: show up to work to secure a paycheck — putting others at risk — or stay home without pay to protect their colleagues and passengers.

Join us for a discussion about transit agencies’ expanded sick leave programs during the initial COVID-19 outbreak, and what needs to be done to prepare for the ongoing threat posed by the pandemic.

Panelists:

Michael C. Duff, Professor of Law at University of Wyoming College of Law

Katharine Kelleman, CEO at Port Authority of Allegheny County

John Lyons, Director of Joint Industry Councils and Collective Bargaining at Amalgamated Transit Union

Moderator:

Tom Pera, Program Associate, Improving Agency Practice at TransitCenter

This is a webinar on Zoom. For security purposes, only registered Zoom users will be able to join the call.

Once you RSVP on Zoom, you will receive an email with a unique URL to join this online event.

Photo credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit