The MTA introduced contingency plans Thursday within the occasion that 5 of the key Lengthy Island Rail Highway unions resolve to strike on Sept. 18 — and referred to as out the unions for allegedly not negotiating in good religion.
“The last offer we received from them was a year ago. I wouldn’t necessarily call that negotiating,” mentioned LIRR president Rob Free at a press convention in Penn Station on Thursday. “It’s giving your offer take it or leave it that’s it, release us so we can go on strike.”
5 unions representing varied workers — most notably the locomotive engineers, the individuals who function the trains — licensed to go on strike as early as midnight on Sept. 18.
A majority of different LIRR unions, together with the one representing conductors, has accepted a proposal.
“They agreed to a 9.5% wage increase over three years,” mentioned Free, however the different unions “they want 6.5% more than everyone else without any concessions.”
NBC New York tried to achieve out to union leaders however didn’t instantly hear again. Commuters mentioned they have been nervous concerning the prospect of a strike.
“I wouldn’t be able to go in because I don’t have a car,” mentioned Danny Heffernan of Hicksville. “So there will be no teaching classes.”
“There’s basically no parking in Queens,” said Benjamin Rivera of Huntington. “That’s why I take the prepare, that is going to be a really large downside.”
Restricted shuttle bus service on weekdays for important employees and people who can not commute will probably be supplied at three LIRR hubs.
Buses will run each 10 minutes throughout peak hours, Manhattan-bound from 4:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and to Lengthy Island from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the following stations:
Bellmore Station (LIRR) to Howard Seaside-JFK Airport (A)
Hicksville Station (LIRR) to Mets-Willets Pt (7)
Ronkonkoma Station (LIRR) to Mets-Willets Pt (7)
Buyer ambassadors will probably be deployed at key LIRR stations and subway switch factors to direct riders to alternate journey paths. However MTA officers hope it doesn’t come to that and are urging union leaders to return to the bargaining desk.
The 250,000 commuters who depend on transit to get to work every day will undergo, transit advocates mentioned. And never everybody will be capable of do business from home.
“If you’re a construction worker, healthcare worker, or a teacher,” mentioned Gerard Bringmann, Chairman of the LIRR Commuters Council. “You have to be there when the bell rings, this is going to be a hardship.”
