Mapping the Low Wage Workforce in Central New York: Working Conditions and Safety and Health

Background and Objectives

By a wide variety of measures, low wage workers suffer from poorer health than those higher up on the socioeconomic scale.  Work is an important contributor to these disparities as low wage workers are frequently at risk of injury and illness from poorly controlled workplace hazards.

Low wage work occupies a growing proportion of the workforce in Central New York. The regional occupational health clinical center initiated a project to address the occupational health needs of these high risk workers. In this presentation we report on the first phase of the project: an effort to identify who the low wage workforce is, where they work, and the conditions of their work.

 Methods

Low wage workers were identified through contacts with a variety of unions and community based organizations. A survey tool was developed and was administered to workers at sites in the community.

 Results

Surveys were completed by 275 workers, representing a cross section of the low wage workforce. Workers were clustered in several major types of jobs and industries. A high proportion reported exposure to hazardous working conditions, lack of occupational safety and health training, work related injuries and illnesses, and failure to pursue Workers’ Compensation benefits.

 Conclusions

There is a large low wage workforce in the Greater Syracuse area facing poor working conditions, including safety and health hazards. Collaboration between the occupational health clinical center, workers, other community organizations, and unions will be necessary in follow up efforts to address the issues raised.