AFT
Reopening schools has been one of the most contested issues of the COVID-19 era, and few have been happy with the pace – parent, teacher or student. One person who thought New York City has tackled it correctly is Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers. Unlike some national labor figures, Weingarten remains influential among local education unions in New York, where she headed the United Federation of Teachers from 1998 to 2009.
7. John Samuelsen
International President, Transport Workers Union
As international president of the Transport Workers Union, John Samuelsen represents 150,000 transit workers, including 41,000 at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, his former employer whose tracks stretch from New York City to Poughkeepsie and Montauk. After a $3.9 billion bailout in March 2020, the MTA is receiving another $6 billion in aid via the American Rescue Plan, sidestepping once again the looming jobs catastrophe caused by the pandem
Juansilvaphoto.com
As it became clear that many workplaces – essential and less so – would remain open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ALIGN became a key player in a coalition of 70 unions, workers’ centers and nonprofits that have pushed the NY HERO Act. The bill sets enforceable workplace standards for testing, PPE, social distancing, hygiene and more. Maritza Silva-Farrell has led ALIGN, an alliance of labor and community organizations, since 2016.
52. Charlene Obernauer
Executive Director, New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health
NYCOSH, the watchdog nonprofit that Charlene Obernauer leads, is well known for its annual report on construction deaths in New York state. The latest report on calendar year 2019 found that while construction-related deaths dipped slightly across the state, they rose 10% over the previous year within the five boroughs. In her role, Obernauer has advocated for better COVID-19 protection at New York work sites and also conducts tr
Letter: Legislature must approve work zone speed camera legislation
to the editor
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FILE. Letter writer says, There’s legislation pending in Albany that would go a long way toward better protecting highway workers by implementing a pilot program for automated speed cameras in highway work zones. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)PAUL BUCKOWSKI
Over the years, Civil Service Employees Association has lost dozens of members whose lives were cut short because of work zone crashes. Tragedy again struck the CSEA family recently when two members from one of our state Department of Transportation work crews were injured in a work zone crash in Malta, including one who is in serious condition. That was the third work zone incident that week alone. Our thoughts and prayers are with these members and their loved ones.