New York Governor Kathy Hochul addressed the possibility of an impending Long Island Rail Road strike on Tuesday, as contract negotiations with five unions remain at a standstill.
A walkout could occur as soon as this Thursday, a situation Hochul attributed to the Trump administration. “Let’s look at why we are here today,” she said. “The president did something rather extraordinary and almost unprecedented, which was to say, ‘OK, do what you want now, go ahead and strike.’ That’s unusual. He owns it, as do the Republicans here on Long Island.”
According to the MTA, a strike would involve nearly 3,400 union members, representing about half of the LIRR’s total workforce. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the union representing most of the workers, is currently conducting a strike authorization vote.
The unions are seeking a 16% wage increase over a three-year period, rejecting the 9.5% raise currently offered. Union officials have stated that the MTA’s offers are not competitive with contracts for similar workers in other cities, such as Philadelphia. The results of the strike authorization vote are expected to be announced on Monday.
While Hochul has urged both sides to resume negotiations, the MTA is preparing for a potential shutdown. MTA CEO Janno Lieber commented on the dispute, stating, “We have to stick up for the riders and riders are a little frustrated seeing all this overtime and triple wages.” The agency plans to detail its strike contingency plans on Thursday, which would include using shuttle buses to connect commuters to subway stations in Queens.
The last time the unions came close to a strike was in 2014. A last-minute deal brokered by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo averted the walkout but left what were described as costly work rules in place for the following decade.
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