MTA Pledges $500K Coronavirus Death Benefit To Workers' Families

NEW YORK CITY — Families of transit workers who die from novel coronavirus will receive a $500,000 lump sum from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, according to a new agreement.

The coronavirus death benefit was agreed upon by the Transport Workers Union of America, Local 100 and MTA Tuesday, officials said.

As of Tuesday, 59 MTA workers had lost their lives to COVID-19, officials said.

The MTA will pay $500,000 from its operating fund to the beneficiaries of deceased members of several unions — the Local 100, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 808 — who were in active service as of Feb. 1, officials said.

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The agency will also provide health insurance to spouses and dependents to the age of 26 for three years, according to a press release.

“What our frontline workers have done during this pandemic is nothing short of heroic,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Pat Foye. "We believe this agreement is another crucial step in recognizing their sacrifice."

The MTA will ratify the benefit provisions next week on April 22, Foye said at a press conference.

MTA's safety precautions include disinfecting its 8,000 trains and 5,000 buses every three days, implementing rear-door boarding on buses and installing plexiglass barriers at 28 bus depot work stations.

TWU began advocating for a specialized Line of Duty benefit last month after conductor Peter Petrassi lost his life to the deadly virus.

“We can’t bring back our heroic co-workers," said TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano. "But we can make sure their families are taken care of."

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