MTA's Kawasaki Subway Car Order Sparks Worker Concerns
The MTA's decision to persist with ordering subway cars from Kawasaki, despite reported news, has sparked concerns. Workers at Kawasaki's Nebraska and Yonkers plants face poor conditions, low pay, and financial struggles, with many witnessing injuries and unfair treatment. This, in turn, contributes to production delays.
A staggering 79% of Kawasaki's Nebraska employees and 68% of Yonkers workers are struggling financially. Despite this, the MTA continues to place orders, with Kawasaki being one of only two companies capable of meeting New York City's subway car needs. The oversight of working conditions and wages is typically managed by labor unions, in coordination with the MTA and the manufacturing companies.
Workers manufacturing the new subway cars are paid 16% less than the industry standard. This, coupled with poor working conditions, has led to reports of workplace injuries, unfair treatment, and discrimination. These issues are not only affecting the workers but also contributing to delays in production, which could impact the MTA's services and the city's commuters.
The MTA's reliance on Kawasaki for subway car manufacturing, despite the reported news, has put workers in a difficult position. With Kawasaki being one of the few options, addressing the workers' concerns and improving their conditions should be a priority to ensure both fair treatment and timely production of the new subway cars.
