LIRR labor dispute should be resolved by arbitrators

More than 300,000 daily Long Island Rail Road riders are facing the clear and present possibility of a strike that will suspend service as soon as next Thursday, throwing their daily commutes into chaos.

Five of the unions representing just under half of the LIRR’s 7,000 unionized employees have rejected the MTA’s contract offer and indicated that they are willing to walk to achieve the raises they believe are appropriate — but which are larger than the increases already accepted by the majority of LIRR workers. That would lead to a change in the pattern of negotiations for all of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s unions.

As the official representative for LIRR commuters, I rarely take a position on contract negotiations, but with the distinct possibility of a strike against the LIRR rapidly approaching, I feel I must make an exception in this case.

I have the utmost respect for the unions and their efforts to get the best possible deal for their membership, who keep the LIRR safely running through inclement weather, overnight and on weekends and holidays. LIRR service and on-time performance have improved considerably, in no small part as a result of their efforts.

My concern is that breaking the established contract pattern could lead to significantly higher costs that will be passed down to riders in the form of larger fare increases. Instead of the schedule of reasonable 4% fare increases every two years, LIRR riders could see 5% or 6% increases — or more — in the future to cover these additional costs. I understand the unions’ job is to keep their members ahead of our region’s soaring cost of living, but the riders are facing the same hurdles.

A strike, if called, will be a severe hardship for Long Island’s commuters. While some may be able to make arrangements to work from home, the vast majority will still need to trek into the city. This could mean an extra hour or more added each way to their daily commutes, not to mention the aggravation of being stuck in traffic. Needless to say, there will also be additional out-of-pocket expenses to cover the cost of alternate travel. Some workers may not be able to get in at all and will be forced to use valuable time off or forgo pay entirely.

In recognition of Labor Day, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation that authorizes the New York State Public Employment Relations Board to assert jurisdiction over disputes in certain circumstances. This offers an additional tool that should be seriously considered before any action is taken that would disrupt the lives of hundreds of thousands of commuters — and the railroad’s workers.

It’s time to let professional arbitrators resolve this situation — as invited by mediators and offered by the MTA — keeping America’s busiest commuter railroad on track.

This guest essay reflects the views of Gerard Bringmann, the chair of the LIRR Commuter Council and a nonvoting MTA Board member. He lives in Holtsville.