Our union is fighting to protect members who work on or near highways, including by advocating for several state budget and other legislative proposals to enhance transportation worker safety.
Every day, CSEA members put their lives on the line to keep our roads safe and drivable for New Yorkers. Highway workers constantly face potential hazards, including being struck by motorists while in work zones.
In 2024, two State Thruway Authority employees, including CSEA member Stephen Ebling, were struck and killed on the job. In another harrowing incident caught on a dashboard camera, a CSEA-represented DOT employee was nearly killed when a box truck failed to move over for a maintenance crew. These cases underscore the ever-present risks faced by highway workers who are just trying to do their jobs.
Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed several solutions in her executive budget, including:
Strengthening the work zone speed camera program, including making the program permanent and expanding the program to the New York State Bridge Authority and Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority. In addition to the governor’s proposal, CSEA is advocating to expand the number of work zone speed cameras and suspend the registration of any vehicle that has received four or more work zone speed camera tickets in an 18-month period.
Increasing the penalties for assaulting a state or local government highway worker, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) license examiners or DMV representative from a Class A misdemeanor to Class D felony. A joint survey conducted by the DMV and CSEA found that more than 50% of motor vehicle license examiners reported experiencing workplace violence, including instances of kidnapping, assault and violent threats.
When an individual fails a driving exam, frustration and anger are too often taken out on the examiner sitting beside them. Despite ongoing efforts to mitigate these threats, DMV employees continue to endure dangerous workplace conditions.
Increasing penalties for assaulting these workers will deter future violence and help ensure employees can go to work without fear of being assaulted or killed.
Below are accounts of CSEA members who risk hazards while keeping our roads safe.
Watch cseany.org and The Work Force for more about our union’s advocacy on behalf of highway and DMV workers.
