Tragic Loss in the Union Family

One of our Conductors, who was approximately 6-months pregnant, suffered a terrible loss earlier today. She went into premature labor in the East New York yard where she was assigned moving switches. The baby did not survive.

“This is a terrible and tragic loss,” Local 100 President Tony Utano said. “Our hearts go out to our union sister and her family, and we will do whatever we can to assist them at this difficult time.” A union representative responded to the hospital. Union officers have been in contact with the Conductor's family.  At the union’s request, management is granting two weeks paid maternity leave.

The Conductor filed on Wednesday a G2 requesting special accommodation instead of working the road. She was off Thursday and Friday. Today, she was assigned to the yard. The Conductor had an appointment on Monday at the MAC for management to determine whether she could continue working in some capacity.

“The MTA’s treatment of pregnant workers has been horrible and indefensible,” Utano said. “It has repeatedly refused or failed to provide suitable job assignments, which is why the union filed several lawsuits against the authority last year. We are asking the courts to order the MTA to do the right thing once and for all.”

In addition to the court action, the contract Local 100 members ratified in January includes a commitment by management to seek possible solutions to this ongoing problem through a joint labor-management committee.