Workers who build NYC's subway cars face low pay, anti-union bosses, report alleges

"The report by the nonprofit Jobs to Move America and Cornell University's Climate Jobs Institute surveyed 180 current and former employees of the Japan-based company Kawasaki, which has received billions of dollars from the MTA over the last decade to build hundreds of train cars. The cars are primarily built in the company's plant at Lincoln, Nebraska, and finished at a facility in Yonkers before they're put into service."

"The report found 79% of the company's Nebraska employees and 68% of the workers in Yonkers reported struggling financially. It states the workers make 16% less than the industry standard for their jobs and many of those surveyed said they witnessed workplace injuries, unfair treatment and discrimination in their workplace. Kawasaki spokesperson Michael McKeon did not address the report's claims and questioned whether the people surveyed were actually employed by the company."

"The report comes as the MTA continues to order more trains from Kawasaki, which along with France-based Alstom is just one of two companies capable of manufacturing subway cars for the city. The last U.S.-based subway car manufacturers went out of business decades ago. Since 2018, the MTA has ordered 1,610 new subway cars from Kawasaki for $4.5 billion - despite near-constant delays in delivery."

Jobs to Move America and Cornell University's Climate Jobs Institute surveyed 180 current and former Kawasaki employees and found widespread low pay and poor workplace conditions. Kawasaki builds cars primarily in Lincoln, Nebraska, with final assembly in Yonkers before service. Seventy-nine percent of Nebraska employees and 68 percent of Yonkers workers reported financial struggle, and reported pay averaged 16 percent below industry standards. Many respondents witnessed workplace injuries, unfair treatment, and discrimination. Kawasaki's spokesperson questioned whether surveyed people were company employees. The MTA has ordered 1,610 cars from Kawasaki since 2018 for $4.5 billion, but high turnover and attrition have contributed to repeated delivery delays.

Read at Gothamist