Long Island Rail Road workers were on picket lines across New York City and Long Island for a second straight day on Sunday, as the National Mediation Board stepped in and called both sides back to the bargaining table.
The LIRR is the busiest commuter rail system in North America, carrying roughly 250,000 riders on weekdays. Workers walked off the job just after midnight Saturday after months of stalled contract negotiations, with no future talks scheduled at the time. The strike disrupted weekend travel, including access to the Mets-Yankees Subway Series, but Monday's morning commute presented the larger concern for most riders.
The dispute centers on workers' salaries and healthcare premiums. Union members and MTA management have been negotiating a new contract for months without reaching an agreement.
"The MTA never really came to the table to negotiate until we had to call them out at their last board meeting," said Karl Bischoff, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. "There is no sense or urgency, as has been said before. It just seems like the MTA board is never held accountable. My members are always held accountable for their actions."
"The raises weren't really raises, when you factor in inflation," said Steve Ammirati, also with the union.
MTA President and CEO Janno Lieber pushed back on those characterizations in an appearance on CBS News New York on Sunday morning.
"Just to be perfectly clear, we never broke off negotiations. The union elected to cut off negotiations and go on strike and inconvenience everybody. That was their choice," Lieber said. "We have been available every minute of every day, if they are serious about trying to bring this to a close. These are by far the best-paid workers in the entire national railroad system, and they want a better deal than every other MTA worker. That's not fair."
The MTA activated a contingency plan that includes free shuttle buses from several Long Island train stations to subway connections in Queens, beginning at 4:30 a.m. Monday. The shuttles are reserved for essential workers and those who cannot telecommute. Stations in Bay Shore, Hicksville, Mineola and Lakeview will connect to Howard Beach-JFK Airport, while Ronkonkoma and Huntington will route to Jamaica-179th Street.
Commuter parking will be available for $6 at Citi Field, which connects to the subway at Mets-Willets Point station. The MTA said it intends to issue pro-rated refunds to May monthly ticket holders.