Reply #15: Environmental Conditions in the Subway

[MamaBear]

I have recently heard that many conductors and motormen develop lung cancer not only from the asbestos but from the steel dust. NYC subways run on steel rails with steel wheels. They also develop serious hearing problems, even those who do wear the protective gear.

Give them their raises. Let them retire, because many of them evidently aren't around too long afterward, and let's appreciate them for hauling us around all day, all night, every day, year in and year out.

They also have some other issues: when a train worker calls in sick, they are virtually under house arrest. They are not allowed to leave their homes without calling in to their supervisor, reporting, and then reporting again when they get back. If they don't, TA people come to the home to check up on them. That seems a bit extreme, doesn't it? So they have some work rules issues.

Private employers created these two-tier (or more) deals :(if you were hired after such a date, you get much less vacation than people who were hired the day before, for example). I causes resentment. How is that good for business?

I hope they don't strike; I depend on them to get around. But if that's what they need to do, we'll just have to make do.