A recent report by labor advocacy groups highlights declining conditions for workers manufacturing metro cars in New York City, with significant delays in production. The study, conducted by a nonprofit and Cornell University’s Climate Employment Institute, surveyed 180 current and former employees at Kawasaki, primarily based in Japan, where many cars are finished at a facility in Yonkers, New York.
Findings revealed that 79% of Nebraska employees and 68% of Yonkers workers are financially struggling, with wages 16% below the industry standard. Many reported experiencing workplace injuries and discrimination. Despite these claims, Kawasaki’s spokesperson questioned the employment status of the survey participants.
The MTA has ordered 1,610 new subway cars from Kawasaki for $4.5 billion since 2018, but ongoing delays are exacerbated by high turnover rates at manufacturing plants, leading to reliance on outdated subway cars prone to breakdowns. The report connects poor working conditions to issues with the new trains’ gearboxes and signal systems.
Historically, Kawasaki has kept unions out of its manufacturing operations, leading to a lack of labor protections in Nebraska and non-union status in Yonkers. Activist Lauren Chandevel emphasized the need for a “community benefits agreement” to improve conditions, arguing that better treatment of workers would enhance product quality. She vowed to continue advocating for worker rights in collaboration with community leaders.
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