New York officials urged commuters to work from home Monday as a strike by Long Island Rail Road workers threatened to disrupt travel for hundreds of thousands of riders across the region.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority were preparing emergency transit alternatives, including shuttle buses from Long Island into Queens and additional subway service, after negotiations between the MTA and rail unions broke down this weekend, prompting workers to walk off the job and shutting down the railroad Saturday.
“Let’s face the facts: It’s impossible to fully replace LIRR service,” Hochul told reporters Sunday at a press conference.
The strike – the LIRR’s first in roughly 30 years – has halted service on one of the nation’s busiest commuter rail systems, which carries hundreds of thousands of riders between Long Island and New York City.
Shuttle buses for essential workers were set to begin operating around 4:30 a.m. on Monday from six locations across Nassau and Suffolk counties to subway connections in Queens.
Officials repeatedly urged commuters who are able to work remotely to stay home during the strike.
MTA officials blamed union leadership for walking away from negotiations, saying the transit agency remained willing to continue bargaining.
“We made it clear we are available if they want to come back and negotiate,” MTA CEO Janno Lieber said. “They walked out and they went on strike.”
The coalition of unions representing roughly 3,500 Long Island Rail Road workers accused Lieber and MTA leadership of forcing a shutdown by refusing to agree to wage increases after years without raises amid rising living costs.
In a statement Sunday, the unions said the two sides were separated by less than 1 percentage point before talks broke down Friday night and argued the strike was “completely avoidable.”
“Long Island Rail Road workers want to be doing what they’ve always done – serving the riding public and keeping LIRR moving safely and efficiently,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “But after years without raises and with the cost of living continuing to climb across Long Island and the New York City area, workers deserve a fair contract that recognizes their contributions and sacrifices. This strike was completely avoidable, and the coalition remains ready to negotiate at any time if MTA leadership is finally prepared to bargain seriously.”
The unions pointed to recommendations from two presidential emergency boards that they said backed stronger wage increases for workers.
Hochul defended the MTA’s position Sunday, saying the agency could not agree to labor demands that would force steep fare hikes and higher taxes.
“New York is a pro-labor state,” Hochul said. “We believe in working men and women receiving a fair wage and benefits, but the MTA cannot agree to a contract that would raise fares as much as 8% and risk hiking taxes for Long Islanders.”
