Public Employee Press

Violence at work
New job titles protected by assault law

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently signed legislation that protects Local 768 Public Health Sanitarians and Public Health Enforcement workers and Local 372 School Crossing Guards from assaults on the job.

Lawmakers expanded the state penal code to make an intentional assault on public employees in these titles a second degree Class D felony. A conviction leads to a mandatory three-to-seven-year prison sentence.

"These members are on the front line protecting New Yorkers," said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. "We thank the state legislators and Gov. Cuomo who recognize that School Crossing Guards, who keep the city's 1.1 million school children safe, and Public Health Sanitarians, who enforce state and city health codes, face real dangers and violence while doing their jobs." Sanitarians inspect day care providers, restaurants, swimming pools, and rodent infested lots to ensure compliance with city and state health codes.

"Sometimes business operators take exception to the inspections performed or the recommendations made," said Fitz Reid, president of Local 768. "Confrontations can escalate to assault. Adding these titles to the penal law goes a long way to reduce if not prevent assaults on our members."

The new law goes into effect in March and also includes EMTs and Paramedics (see story here)

Local leaders presented lawmakers with documentation, including police reports and a bill drafted to substantiate assault protection under the law for their members. "The bill needs sponsors and our friends Sen. Andrew Lanza and Assembly member Vivian Cook stepped up for our members," said DC 37 Legislative Director Wanda Williams.

In the spring, Williams said, DC 37 anticipates further expansion of the assault law to include all health care workers who provide direct care to patients under a bill drafted by the New York State AFL-CIO.

— DSW