Long Island Rail Road strike stops service in New York

Long Island Rail Road strike action began early Saturday, union officials said, stopping service on what is described as the busiest commuter rail network in North America. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The walkout was announced by labor unions representing roughly half of the railroad’s workforce. It followed talks with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that ended Friday without a new labor agreement, according to the Associated Press. The five unions involved cover about half of the system’s 7,000 employees. That group includes locomotive engineers, machinists and signalmen. They were legally permitted to strike beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

Kevin Sexton, National Vice President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said no further bargaining sessions had been scheduled.

“We’re far apart at this point,” Sexton said. “We are truly sorry that we are in this situation.”

MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said the authority “gave the union everything they said they wanted in terms of pay” and said it appeared to him that the unions had planned to walk out all along.

Long Island Rail Road strike affects weekday riders

The stoppage leaves about 250,000 weekday riders looking for other ways to travel from Long Island suburbs into New York City. Some may work from home instead. The disruption means more vehicles on already congested highways and longer commutes.

“It’s gonna be such a nightmare trying to get in,” said Rob Udle, an electrician who uses the LIRR to travel into Manhattan at least five days a week.

Also, the loss of rail service may complicate weekend travel for some sports fans. Some were expected to head into Manhattan for the New York Knicks during their NBA playoff run. Others planned to watch the New York Yankees face the New York Mets.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has called on LIRR passengers to work from home during the walkout. Meanwhile, the MTA plans to operate free but limited shuttle buses during weekday rush periods. The service is aimed at essential workers.

In a statement, Hochul placed responsibility for the walkout on union leadership.

Commuters are dealing with unnecessary dysfunction and thousands of union LIRR workers are being forced to go without a paycheck because of decisions made by a small group of union leaders,” Hochul said. “I stand with LIRR riders and will fight to preserve the long term stability of the MTA.”

MTA and unions remain divided over pay

The unions are seeking a 16% wage increase over four years. They say the raise is needed as employees face inflation and higher living costs. The MTA has said the unions’ original proposal would result in fare hikes. The agency has offered a wage increase of at least 9.5% over three years. In addition, the offer includes what would effectively be a 4.5% increase in the fourth year.

The dispute centers on the difference between the unions’ four-year wage demand and the MTA’s offer over the same period.

“The difference between those two positions is not unbridgeable,” Gary Dellaverson, the MTA’s chief negotiator, said at a news conference Wednesday.

Separately, Nick Peluso, national vice president for the Transportation Communications Union, questioned whether the dispute justified the disruption in a statement.

“The key question is: Will MTA and Gov. Hochul create frustration and gridlock for commuters, spend millions on buses during a strike and lose millions in revenue over what amounts to roughly a one percent difference in wages?” Peluso said.

Susanne Alberto, a personal trainer from Long Island, said she had already arranged virtual sessions with her Manhattan clients. Those sessions were planned in the event of a shutdown.

Still, she said she believes the union has the stronger position.

“The MTA is going to cave, and they know that,” Alberto said. “Why don’t they just do it now instead of waiting until virtually millions of people get inconvenienced?”

Previous rail strikes and failed negotiations

Udle said he would likely use vacation days rather than attempt the difficult trip into Manhattan without rail service.

Although he is a union member, Udle said he disagrees with the pressure tactic being used. He also said he understands the affordability concerns raised by the unions.

“I get it, the cost of living is going up and stuff like that,” Udle said while waiting at Penn Station for a train home. “But they shouldn’t hold everybody hostage to do it. There’s a better way. You’re affecting a lot of other people.”

A strike had been postponed in September after President Donald Trump’s administration agreed to assist with negotiations. Those efforts did not produce an agreement. That left the two sides with 60 days to try again to settle the dispute. The period ended at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, when the union could legally strike or the agency could lock out employees.

The most recent LIRR strike before this occurred in 1994 and lasted about two days.

Last year, workers at New Jersey Transit also went on strike. That commuter rail system links Manhattan and New Jersey. The stoppage lasted three days.

Source: ABC News

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