Out of order: Transit workers union, disability advocates sue MTA over temporary subway station booth closures | amNewYork

"The MTA and the New York City Transit Authority need to follow the New York Public Authorities Law, which means that they had to have public hearings before they closed stations. The other thing we're doing in this case is we are challenging this under the New York City Human Rights Law."

"He said the agents play an important role in keeping passengers safe and helping those with disabilities enter the system. The plaintiffs' attorney charged that the temporary closures violate the city's Human Rights Law by removing personnel who help those with disabilities enter stations without providing an alternative accommodation."

Transport Workers Union Local 100 filed a lawsuit against the MTA to challenge its policy of temporarily closing service booths when station agents cannot work due to illness or emergency, rather than providing replacement staff. The union's attorney argued the MTA violated New York's Public Authorities Law by implementing the policy without required public hearings. Additionally, the lawsuit claims the closures violate the city's Human Rights Law by removing personnel who assist people with disabilities without providing alternative accommodations. The suit contends temporary closures compromise station safety. The MTA responded that it provided public notice and held hearings when establishing the policy three years ago through its agreement with TWU.

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