Push for Air-Conditioners in Subway Stations Citywide
By ARI PAUL

A group of subway station workers July 16 distributed flyers outside New York City Transit's headquarters celebrating the installation of temporary air-conditioning for Cleaners at the West 4th St. station in Manhattan, but calling for management to tackle the issue of heat in the stations systemwide.

The Chief-Leader/Adrienne Haywood-James  TURNING UP THE HEAT: Station Agent Marty Goodman, right, said it was a start for New York City Transit to provide air-conditioning units to Cleaners at the West 4th St. station, but demanded more units be made available at other stations. Looking on is Station Agent Christine Williams.

Twenty night Cleaners responsible for scrubbing and washing the Greenwich Village station sent a letter to NYC Transit President Howard H. Roberts in June protesting the lack of air-conditioning in the workers' quarters, where they alleged that in the summer months temperatures reached into the upper 90s. In response, temporary air-conditioning units were installed.

'A Partial Victory'

"It's a partial victory," said Station Agent Marty Goodman, while handing out flyers at NYC Transit's main building at 2 Broadway. "There needs to be permanent air-conditioners in these rooms."

The flyer, noting the installation of units at West 4th St., said, "But, we cannot stop here. We must end the second class status of Stations Department," adding that stations such as Grand Central, 34th St. on the A/C/E and 2nd Ave. on the F/V line lacked air-conditioners for cleaning crews.

Mr. Goodman also said that West 4th St. workers told him that the previous evening supervisors brought in auxiliary crews to clean the station, anticipating a visit from Mr. Roberts.

"Transit will allow Cleaners to suffer year after year, but all the supervisors are scurrying to make it look good for the boss," he said. "When he leaves, things will go back to normal."

More Money for Upgrades

In 2007, NYC Transit earmarked $2.8 million to upgrade employee facilities, and more than $9 million for 2008. "To date, 62 employee facilities in the Department of Subways, and 12 employee facilities in several locations in the Department of Buses have been rehabilitated through the program, which began in September 2007," the authority said in a statement. "We are continuing to update those facilities - including locker rooms and other employee spaces - that have been identified for inclusion in the program."

Station Agent Christine Williams, who works in lower Manhattan, said that while Cleaners work a more physically taxing job, the summer heat affects all station workers. Mr. Goodman believed that because the problem was a health concern for workers systemwide, Transport Workers Union Local 100 should raise the issue when it starts negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority later this year.

"When it's 90 outside, it's hotter downstairs," he said. "It's something that needs to be addressed in the next contract."