The Local 237 family mourns the tragic loss of our union sister, Toni Jackson, who died as a result of an accident that occurred while she was performing her duties as a NYCHA caretaker J at Coney Island Houses in Brooklyn on Saturday, March 7.

Several investigations are under way, including Local 237’s, a joint investigation by our union with the New York City Housing Authority, and another by the state Department of Labor’s Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau.

Investigations are focused on probable causes of the fatal accident, including a hoist used by caretakers in buildings, such as the Coney Island facility, to lift trash from the basement to the ground-floor exit. Other buildings have a ramp for workers to carry trash from basement garbage rooms to an outside pick-up area.

President Gregory Floyd said that he often hears of workers who are injured on the job — and even shot — but Jackson’s fatal accident was the first time he heard of a Housing worker dying as a result of performing their duties. “We are committed to providing help to Jackson’s family during this difficult time,” Floyd said, “and demanding that NYCHA make sure that every employee is properly trained in the equipment they have to use.”

Local 237’s health and safety coordinator, Diane Stein, notes that NYCHA workers have a high rate of work-related injuries and illnesses. “Many of the injuries can be caused by underfunding because there’s not enough staff to do all of this very heavy, physical labor,” said Stein.

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Jackson was 31 years old and the mother of two children, ages 8 and 11. She had two years of service with NYCHA and lived in the Marlboro Houses in Gravesend, Brooklyn. In addition to her children, Jackson is survived by her mother and a sister.