The New York Post, December 18, 2005, Sunday

Copyright 2005 N.Y.P. Holdings, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
The New York Post

December 18, 2005 Sunday

SECTION: All Editions; Pg. 9


HEADLINE: RIDERS RAIL AT WORKERS

BYLINE: CARL CAMPANILE

BODY:
Transit workers have a dangerous job - including warding off attacks from grumpy and hostile straphangers, a new survey shows.
A whopping 74 percent of subway and bus workers reported "witnessing verbal or physical threats by customers," according to the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
Station agents who sell Metrocards were the most vulnerable, with 81 percent saying they were subjected to such abuse. And 71 percent of bus drivers said were subjected to vitriolic abuse.
The Cornell survey also provided some ammunition to MTA officials, who have long complained that some transit workers abuse sick-leave privileges. Employees are entitled to 12 sick days per year.
A total of 23 percent - surveyed confidentially - said they took days off for "non-illness reasons." And 26 percent reported taking sick time due to the illness of family members.