NYC Unions Take on the Suicide Rate
The suicide rate for construction workers is four times higher than other professions. Unions are making efforts to help their members when they need it.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, which has special resonance in the very physical world of the New York City construction industry. The suicide rate among construction workers is four times the national average for other professions.
Union-Built Matters spoke with some non-union and some union construction workers about this issue, and we found that suicide is a condition that affects every work site, but there is a world of difference in how unions are trying to help their members deal with it, and how non-unions are not.
Non-Unions: “Get to Work”
Late one evening we encountered two non-union workers who were exiting a mid-town work site after a long day. We asked them about the impact of suicide on the job site. One of them told us, “There’s a lot of stress every day. And it’s not just physical stress, though there is a lot of that for sure. There’s also the financial stress from the constant threat of being fired.” He explained that “The bosses at this place, they’re on you hard all the time and always threatening that if you don’t get the work right or on time that you’re gone. That [stuff] wears you down.”
When asked if that threat of firing was common on other non-union-run projects he’d been on, he said “Absolutely. They always reminding us that there are a ton of guys who will walk on and do our job tomorrow.”
His colleague gave one telling example. “We had a deadline to hit and they was driving us to meet it. All the guys was hard at it for days and days. Like, long days from before seven to after eight o’clock at night. Weekends too. And we made that deadline. We did it. But then the company told us, here’s the next deadline. They didn’t say ‘nice job,’ or take a day off – see your family.’ It was ‘Here’s the next one. Get to work.’”
When the non-union workers were asked whether they were properly compensated for all those overtime hours, both men were curt. “No,” they said, in unison.
Once again, the difference between life and death for New York’s construction workers often depends on whether they are in a union or not.
Doctor: The Stress Adds Up
Dr. Nic Hardy, a psychotherapist who specializes in workplace mental health issues, agrees that non-union workers experience a special mental burden. “The financial instability of the non-union worker is big contributor to their on-the-job stress. When you add that to the physical demands of a tough job—long hours away from loved ones, hard labor, outdoor conditions—it adds up fast.”
According to many experts on the subject, most non-union construction contractors simply are not dealing with the issue. The workers we spoke with confirmed it from their own experience. “We replaceable,” one of them said while the other nodded.
Unions Step Up
Unionized construction workers also take their own lives at a higher rate than other job sectors. But unions have recognized the problem and are making efforts to confront it and to protect their members.
One organization supported by construction unions is the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) which is working to address the challenges of suicide and foster a supportive environment for workers.
“Construction workers face significant mental health challenges that require immediate attention,” said a CIASP spokesperson. “Our mission is to transform the industry’s culture, increase mental health awareness, and provide essential resources to prevent suicides.”
The organization focuses on education, resource distribution, and community engagement to create a zero-suicide industry.
Professional Help
New York construction unions now employ full-time addiction and mental health specialists. Most unions also offer an anonymous help line where members can seek professional diagnosis and assistance without the stigma of being identified, like Care Plus Solutions, which provides members with an anonymous diagnosis of their condition. Where it’s warranted, CPS will recommend a treatment program.
Unions also employ workplace safety experts who are now placing a high priority on recognizing addiction and preventing overdoses and dealing with mental stress among their members.
And there are the standard benefits that union members enjoy that many non-union workers don’t. “We have things like sick pay. And that helps a lot,” said one union member who sought and has received help for his mental stress issue. “They [the union] also do a lot to just see how you’re doing. They check in, encourage you to take care of yourself,” he said. “[My union] is not sticking its head in the sand about it. They’re taking it head on. And I am thankful for that.”
The construction industry in New York is facing a crisis because of its heightened suicide rate. The industry faces unique challenges, including high stress, demanding work conditions, and a culture that often stigmatizes seeking help. Construction workers are at a heightened risk for suicide. New York City construction unions are working fast to put guardrails in place and to protect their members, while non-union workers remain simply “replaceable.”
Once again, the difference between life and death for New York’s construction workers often depends on whether they are in a union or not.
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