Gov. Cuomo Signs Covid-19 Death Benefit Bill

TWU-supported legislation granting new accidental death benefits to public workers who died after contracting COVID-19 was signed into law by Gov. Cuomo today.

The pension legislation enables a beneficiary to receive half-salary payments for life. That could be much more advantageous than the other applicable option in New York State pension law: up to three years’ pay in one lump sum. Both options are in addition to the $500,000 per transit family that Local 100 secured in negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority last month.

“Nothing will replace the lives of our union brothers and sisters who perished,” Local 100 President Tony Utano said. “No piece of legislation will fill the void in our hearts. But we can ensure the families of our fallen heroes are on solid financial ground. This bill goes a long way towards that goal.”

Utano thanked Assemblyman Peter Abbate and Sen. Andrew Gounardes for introducing the accidental death benefit legislation in the state Assembly and Senate. Local 100 will be providing updates in the coming days on how the new benefits will be distributed.