On Monday night, a resolution was achieved between the MTA and five labor unions representing Long Island Rail Road employees, concluding a three-day strike that had severely disrupted travel for countless commuters.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the successful negotiation of a “fair” agreement, though she withheld specific details. Significantly, she assured that the deal would not result in increased fares or taxes.
Despite the agreement, rail services were not expected to resume in time for the Tuesday morning commute.
“Tonight, the @MTA secured a fair contract with the five LIRR unions, ensuring pay raises for workers while safeguarding the interests of riders and taxpayers,” Hochul stated.
The MTA advised LIRR passengers to continue working remotely on Tuesday if feasible.
During a press briefing on Tuesday evening, Hochul mentioned that she could not reveal further details about the agreement until it received ratification from the unions involved in the strike.
But the governor indicated the agreement required LIRR employees be paid a “fair wage,” without elaborating.
“This tentative agreement was made possible by the unity and solidarity of all five coalition unions,” said Mark Wallace, President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
“Throughout these negotiations, our members stood together for a fair agreement that recognizes the dedication and sacrifices railroad workers make every day while keeping pace with the rising cost of living,” said Wallace.
The unions were seeking raises they claimed kept up with rising living costs and inflation, while MTA officials argued the workers’ demands would force the agency to raise fares.
Hochul and LIRR President Rob Free refused to say where the extra funds would come from, but insisted the burden wouldn’t fall on the public.
“At a time where everything is going up, I was not going to allow taxes or fares to go up. And that’s why we stood firm for a deal that would not require any additional fare increases or tax increases,” Hochul said.
Free said that the initial restoration will only include electric train service at the LIRR’s main branches in Ronkonkoma, Port Washington, Huntington, and Babylon.
He said railroad bosses will do “everything we can” to get service up and running in a timely manner.
Hochul, though, promised that things will be stable before the New York Knicks kick off their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night.
The short-lived strike — the first since 1994 — began early Saturday at 12:01 a.m. and wreaked havoc, especially on Monday morning when hundreds of thousands of commuters were forced to either find travel alternatives or work from home.
Locomotive engineers, machinists, signalmen and more train workers have been fighting for a new contract since 2023, and even President Trump intervened last year when the White House approved a mediation board to review the demands.
Commuters who ventured into the Big Apple for work Monday were left frustrated and fuming over the work stoppage. Some riders estimated their travel times jumped by at least two hours.
Train workers argued they deserved every penny they were asking for, even as many salaries were in six figures.
“We’ve been without a raise for going on four years now — we’re ready to hold as long as we need to,” said locomotive engineer Steve Ammirati, who was picketing outside the Ronkonkoma train station Monday.
“The raises that were being offered weren’t actually raises when you factor in inflation,” he added.
But plenty of riders directed their ire at the union for causing the mayhem, including Bellmore resident Diane Carlucci, who was forced to catch a bus to work Monday.
“So it’s really terrible, and I’m getting palpitations thinking about doing this every day while those stubborn a–holes — who already get paid way above national average and get out-of-control overtime — stop the system and make life hell for hundreds of thousands of people,” she said.
With Post wires
