Negotiators on Monday reached a deal to end the strike that stalled service on the Long Island Rail Road, the busiest commuter rail system in North America, the AP reports. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the deal won't increase fares or taxes and will give employees fair wages. She said she's not at liberty to disclose specific details while the new contract terms are considered and voted on by union members. "Negotiations are rarely easy, but I have a lot of respect for the collective bargaining process that unfolded over the last few days," she said during a news conference Monday evening.
The deal comes years after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and leaders of the five labor unions started bargaining for a new contract. The unions went on strike at 12:01am Saturday, stalling service for roughly 250,000 commuters who use the rail system that connects New York City to its eastern suburbs every weekday. Robert Free, LIRR's president, said that the system's major commuter lines will begin running trains by noon Tuesday, with full service to all branches by the afternoon rush hour. "Time to get back to work," he said.
Kevin Sexton, the vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said the unions believe this is a fair deal, but he wouldn't disclose any specifics about what the railroad promised its workers. Union officials said later that more details would be shared soon with rank and file members. "We are looking forward to our members getting back to work doing what they do best, which is serving the region," Sexton said at a news conference. The unions, representing about half the train system's workforce, had demanded raises they said were needed to help workers keep up with inflation and rising living costs.
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