Utility and Transportation Workers Safety Legislation Becomes Law in New York

Statement of New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento on Worker Safety Legislation We are pleased Governor Cuomo has signed into law important safety bills that will help deter violence against workers providing public services. Utility workers must often enter private residences alone, deliver unwelcome news and as such, are routinely subject to threats, harassment or worse. And, cleaners at various subway, train and other transportation facilities are exposed to many of the same potential dangerous situations as they often work alone during all hours of the day and night. We thank the Governor for recognizing the importance of workplace safety by signing into law S2251-A/A4738-A for utility workers and S8104/A10048-B for station and terminal cleaners, elevating assaults on these workers from a misdemeanor to a Class D felony. We also thank Senators William Larkin, Kevin Parker, and Catharine Young and Assembly Members Francisco Moya, Diane Richardson and Gary Pretlow for their support on this critical legislation.