News Summary
Union leaders for the Long Island Rail Road have requested a Presidential Emergency Board to prevent a potential strike. With 99.9% of union members voting to authorize the strike, the intervention delays labor action until May 2024, affecting over 270,000 daily commuters. The unions demand a 16% wage increase, while the MTA offers 9.5%. Union leaders express skepticism about reaching a satisfactory agreement through mediation. Governor Hochul calls for negotiations and highlights the need for a resolution before a strike impacts thousands of travelers, especially with the Ryder Cup approaching.
New York — Union leaders representing the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) have requested a Presidential Emergency Board, effectively delaying a potential strike that could have begun this week. The decision comes as 99.9% of the 529 active members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen voted to authorize the strike, raising concerns over the impact on commuters.
The unions’ request for a presidential intervention means that a walkout by over 3,000 workers will not take place this week, pushing the timeline for any labor action to May 2024. In total, a strike would affect more than 270,000 daily LIRR customers who rely on the service for their commutes.
BLET Vice President James Louis stated that the decision to request presidential intervention reflects the unions’ frustrations with the current negotiation process and the treatment of passengers. The unions are advocating for a 16% wage increase over four years, much higher than the 9.5% increase currently offered by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
Union leaders have expressed skepticism that further mediation would lead to a satisfactory agreement, highlighting previous unsuccessful negotiations. BLET General Chairman Gilman Lang noted the desire to avoid a strike, recognizing the significant hardships it would impose on commuters.
MTA Chief of Policy and External Relations, John J. McCarthy, had criticized the unions for their stance in negotiations, urging them to be more serious or to agree to binding arbitration instead of threatening a strike. Governor Kathy Hochul placed some of the blame for the standoff on President Trump, indicating that his administration’s National Mediation Board had complicated the negotiations.
Historically, the last work stoppage on the LIRR occurred in 1994 and lasted for two days. Currently, the workforce includes around 3,000 employees, and the unions involved in the strike are considered among the last remaining holdouts seeking a satisfactory contract agreement.
The request for a presidential emergency board is notable, as union members had previously been reluctant to seek White House intervention. However, recognizing the intense circumstances, union leadership decided this course of action was necessary to ensure the best outcome for their workers and passengers alike.
In anticipation of a possible strike, the MTA has already developed contingency plans to help minimize disruptions for commuters. It is understood that such labor actions would have significant repercussions for daily travel routines across Long Island.
Many commuters have voiced their concerns regarding the potential impact of a strike on their day-to-day lives. With the Ryder Cup golf tournament set to occur at Bethpage shortly, union leaders opted to delay a strike to prevent further disruptions in the days leading up to this high-profile event.
Governor Hochul has emphasized that there is a fair offer on the negotiation table and has directed the MTA to remain ready for negotiations at any time. The focus remains on bringing both sides back to the bargaining table to reach a resolution before a work stoppage becomes necessary.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- News 12: Potential LIRR Strike Disruptions
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- NBC New York: LIRR Strike Threat
- Encyclopedia Britannica: LIRR
- ABC News: LIRR Strike Averted
- Google News: LIRR strike updates
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
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