NYC Officials Call For Higher Wages, Benefits For Crossing Guards
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Elected city officials gathered on the steps of City Hall this week calling for funding for city crossing guards.
Councilman David Greenfield calls it crucial.
"Every single school in New York City should have a crossing guard," Greenfield said.
Greenfield and others are urging the city to fill 200 currently vacant crossing guard slots, WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported.
NYC Officials Call For Higher Wages, Benefits For Crossing Guards
Turnover rate for the positions is high due to poor pay, according to the councilman.
"I am embarrassed to say this, I'm embarrassed that we are representatives of the city and we are not paying a living wage to our crossing guards," Greenfield said.
Greenfield said the number of crossing guards needs to be increased, they need to be paid a living wage and that the part-time, 10-month-a-year workers should be awarded year-round health benefits.
"I mean, the idea that right now some schools have them, some schools don't; that you have to literally get on your knees and beg for your schools to have crossing guards is ridiculous," he said.
Borough President Gale Brewer noted in Manhattan alone, there are 500 schools and only 249 crossing guards.
