The Transportation Communications Union/IAM (TCU/IAM), part of the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) Bargaining Coalition, is urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to demand that the MTA and LIRR engage in meaningful contract negotiations with the bargaining coalition ahead of the Sep. 18 deadline, which could trigger a service shutdown.
Read the letter from the Long Island Rail Road Bargaining Coalition
The Coalition was released from mediation by the National Mediation Board last month and is currently in a federally mandated cooling-off period that ends on Thursday, Sept. 18. If no agreement is reached, the unions could legally strike, or the railroad could impose a lockout, disrupting service for hundreds of thousands of commuters.
Our unions have worked hard to narrow the gap in this round of negotiations. “We are not that far apart, but the time for games is over,” said TCU/IAM National President Artie Maratea. “The LIRR passengers deserve the assurance of dependable service without disruption. Our members deserve a fair contract. Gov. Hochul can help deliver both.”
TCU/IAM and its coalition partners have formally written to Gov. Hochul, requesting her assistance in requiring the LIRR to return to the table and negotiate in good faith.
TCU/IAM members and other coalition members are essential to New York’s economy and to safe, reliable service on the LIRR. A shutdown would harm riders, businesses, and the region. The solution is a fair contract that protects workers while ensuring dependable commuter service.
The post TCU/IAM Calls on Gov. Hochul to Press LIRR to Bargain to Avoid Shutdown appeared first on IAM Union.