Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
The Weird World of Union Perks
By
Jaya Saxena
Published May 30, 2010
Modified May 30, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published May 30, 2010
Modified May 30, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Now that we know bus drivers can get up to two months of paid sick time after suffering the "assault" of being spit upon, what other perks have slipped into the city's union contracts? The Post dug up some strange rules about everything from overtime to classroom assignments, some of which rival the absurdity of the MTA's spitting policy.
For instance, unionized workers are guaranteed "special excusals" for things like “Moon Landing Observation Day," firefighters are guaranteed 96 hours of overtime a year, and transit workers get to celebrate their birthdays as paid holidays. Also, all those reckless bus drivers may be driving that way on purpose, because drivers who receive traffic summonses on the job get four hours pay if they appear in court and are exonerated. Many contracts also guarantee pay increases for longevity, and mortuary technicians even get an extra $636 a year to deal with rabid animals.
The "spit-leave" falls under the category of assault, and bus, train and subway operators are entitled to two years off for “injuries incurred on duty as a result of physical assaults.” The contract doesn't define assault, and doesn't mention spitting anywhere.
Tagged
assault
contracts
spit
spit take
uinon
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. ET
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .