Gov. Kathy Hochul declared that if she and the MTA gave in to the demands of striking Long Island Rail Road workers, ticket prices would surge. The union said she is “Full it sh*t.”
Hochul stood alongside MTA and LIRR executives inside of the subway’s Midtown command center on May 17, and while championing the service of striking workers, also appeared to lay the blame at their feet.
“The MTA cannot agree to a contract that would raise fares as much as 8% and risk hiking taxes for Long Islanders. I have worked too long and hard to reduce costs for our residents, and I will not allow that to be undone. As governor, my priority is to fight for affordability for all New Yorkers, and this strike puts that affordability at risk. Long Islanders deserve a break, as do all the residents who commute on our lines from Queens and elsewhere,” Hochul said. “I will not let this dispute lead to higher prices and less money in the pockets of our residents.”
Meanwhile, at Penn Station, union members picketed outside of the iconic transit hub on 34th Street, chanting “No trains today! Or tomorrow, either.” Union member Karl Bischoff told amNewYork exactly what he thought of the governor’s remarks earlier that morning.
“The governor’s full of sh*t. She’s got money for everything except for our salaries,” Bischoff said. “All we’re asking for is a cost-of-living increase, no more. That’s it, to keep up with the cost of living. I mean, we have free money to give to everybody across this entire state, but you have no money for the people to actually go out and work, and my paycheck that you tax in order to get that money to give to those people. So, the money that she’s distributing is actually money she took from me and my fellow members who were actually out here working.”
MTA Chair Janno Lieber also pointed the finger of blame at the unions, charging that they walked away from the bargaining table.
“It was they who elected to walk out, and we were more than willing to meet them halfway on wages. In fact, they wanted much more than halfway,” Lieber said. “They then criticized us for putting new ideas on the table. We need ideas about how to bridge the gap. We need the unions to respond to our ideas and to come up with ideas and work with us.”
Bischoff responded by calling Leiber and Hochul liars.
“These guys, they’re full of lies. They tell you the public what they think they want to hear. I’m held accountable for my actions out here on my job. I can’t say that Janno Leiber or the governor are held accountable for their actions. We are here because of the actions of Janno Lieber and the governor, who failed to even entertain the things we’re doing. They’ve been doing nothing but playing strategic little games, financial games up until this point.”
Monday’s commute
A gigantic sign hung in front of the LIRR tracks and ticketing booths reading “no trains,” while the electric timetables similarly read “no passengers.” The busiest railroad in North America has officially come to a grinding halt. With negotiations running off the rails, Monday commuters are not expected, at this point, to be able to take a train to the city. Instead, the governor said she has come up with a plan for essential workers: buses. She stated that free shuttle buses will begin running from 4 a.m.
“The MTA will deploy shuttle buses to bring essential workers from across Long Island to subway stations in Queens, and those shuttle buses will be standing by to bring those essential workers back home to Long Island at the end of the day to Long Island and Queens,” Hochul said. (More on travel alternatives during the strike can be found online at mta.info.)
For nonessential workers, the governor noted that drivers can park in City Field’s parking lot for a small fee and take the 7 train from there. All others are asked to work from home. She called on employers to let their workers do so. She also demanded that the MTA is ready for the influx of riders and are not expecting a delay.
Lisa Daglian, Executive Director, Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, called upon both sides to come up with a deal for the sake of those who will be struggling to make it to work Monday.
“It’s time for labor to go back to the table and for both sides to come to an agreement on a fair contract that won’t end up raising fares for commuters up to 8%. Years of investment and ridership gains on the LIRR have shown just how important it is to Long Islanders and the economy. We appreciate the shuttle buses, reverse commute options and ability to add service on the subways, but there is no substitute for the LIRR,” Daglian said. “Every day of the walkout is adding stress and creating chaos for riders. Monday should be a regular workday, not one spent trying to figure out if you’re going to miss a critical meeting or appointment, or if you can get to your kid’s graduation. The uncertainty is unnecessary and can be addressed with a settlement so please, go back to the table and get it done!”
