Threat of a possible strike still looms should union workers with the Long Island Rail Road not reach an agreement by July 20, which could leave many Long Island commuters stranded at the station. In Port Washington, commuters are deeply concerned about the potential strike, as demonstrated by comments made earlier this week at the Port train station.
“When they strike, they put people out of work.” said Lloyd Dumpson. “It stops everything. We need them. If they need more money and more benefits, give it to them. A strike will cause traffic and that’s going to cause accidents.”
“If the MTA strikes, I could drive, and I have the option to stay in the city,” Jodi Werner said. “The LIRR’s suggestions to stay home is ridiculous because most people can’t do that. I work in sales, so my productivity is how I get paid. I really can’t afford to work from home.”
Madeline Pugliese is concerned about how her daughter will get to her summer job in Manhattan if a strike occurs. “She works in a hospital, so it’s not like she can telecommute,” Pugliese said.
The Town of North Hempstead has prepared a contingency plan for local commuters who may be looking for transportation alternatives. The plan includes opening up free parking at North Hempstead Beach Park, 175 West Shore Rd., in Port, for those who want to car pool.
Despite 5,400 LIRR employees threatening to walk off the job, New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo has refused to intercede because, he said, it is up to Congress to end the strike.
According to Thomas F. Prendergast, chief executive of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the MTA is pushing for a solution that will not overly burden LIRR passengers.
“I strongly believe that a resolution can be reached in a fiscally responsible manner,” Prendergast states in his letter to Congress.
“Unfortunately, the union’s leadership has taken the position that the MTA must meet its demands or it will strike, a threat they feel comfortable making because they assume Congress will stop their strike after a few days.”
However, union leaders argue that the LIRR has been without a contract since 2010. “The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has demanded benefit cuts and other concessions from workers,” LIRR Union officials state in a letter to the United States Congress. “MTA management has rejected recommendations from two Presidential Emergency Boards that would end the dispute. Union members ask for nothing more than what both these neutral federal boards have already recommended.”
The possible strike puts stress on a multitude of Long Island commuters, who would need to find an alternate means to travel to work. That means more bus riders and car service users.
But, while serving as a big boost to alternative forms of transportation, the impact for the more than 300,000 commuters traveling the LIRR daily could be drastic.
“The negative economic and human impact of a strike would be huge,” said Long Island Rail Road Commuter Council Chairman Mark Epstein, “and the only responsible option is to keep talking and working to reach an agreement which is fair and does not result in an added financial burden on riders.”
With less than a week to decide, it remained uncertain at press time if an agreement would be struck before July 20.
By Marlo Jappen & Colleen Maidhof
