NYC Transit Workers and Disasters: Impact of Multilevel Interventions

New York University, New York NY

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

During disaster crises, New York City (NYC) public transportation has been an essential service to assure that other essential workers can get to their jobs. Many transit workers are exposed to threats during disaster events, both at work and at home. Transit workers are essential workers, even though they may lack the training, experience, supplies, equipment, and supervision typically provided for traditional frontline workers (i.e., medical workers and first responders). This study, conducted in partnership with the Transport Workers Union (TWU), Local 100, is designed to: (1) evaluate the cumulative impact of multi-level interventions to date on current worker wellness; (2) develop and assess a worker-driven model of crisis management to facilitate worker well-being in the face of disasters (e.g., maintain and restore services); and (3) disseminate findings to provide input into practices and operations to protect non-healthcare essential workers during disaster events with a focus to increase their wellbeing. To achieve these aims, we propose to conduct serial cross-sectional surveys of a systematic sample of the NYC transit workforce, with the logistical assistance of TWU, representing nearly 40,000 subway and bus workers. Timing of subsequent surveys will be dynamic to capture real-time shifts and ongoing changes in strategies and practices that impact transit workers. In the first phase, we will first examine the impact of multi-level interventions already implemented by several entities, including: (a) federal, state, and local governments and agencies; (b) the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), the public authority in charge of NYC Transit; and (c) TWU, which provides support and reinforcement of multilevel interventions, referrals, and social support. Guided by a new Disaster Preparedness model informed by data from our recent transit workers pilot study, the existing multilevel interventions will be evaluated to determine their impact on workers’ outcomes (e.g., well-being, psychosocial, behavioral, interpersonal relations, etc.), perceived impact of TWU interventions (e.g., reinforcement with outreach for education and support), and individual adoption of recommended practices designed to mitigate community and workplace disaster impacts. We will examine potentially moderating effects of age and occupational characteristics of the workers. Initial and subsequent survey data will inform ongoing Participatory Action Research (PAR) teams comprised of academics, workers and other key stakeholders who will formulate data-driven strategies to increase effectiveness of the multilevel interventions and further support worker resilience in the face of shifting disaster events. Results will be widely disseminated to inform policy changes suggested by study findings.