(Newsday posted the following article by Jennifer Sinco Kelleher on its website on December 22. Michael Quinn is the BLET’s General Chairman on the Long Island Railroad.)
NEW YORK — Union leaders representing Long Island Rail Road employees took offense at MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow’s comments calling the railroad “third best” and are demanding an apology.
Yesterday, United Transportation Union general chairman Anthony Simon drafted a letter responding to Kalikow’s comments to a Newsday columnist that the LIRR “is the third-best railroad in the metropolitan area” behind Metro-North and the city’s subway system.
“I must say, it took me hours to calm down before being able to gather my thoughts and deliver them to you,” Simon wrote. He represents about 3,000 conductors, track workers and car workers.
Simon said he sent the letter via overnight courier and it’s expected to arrive at MTA headquarters by 10 a.m. today.
Earlier this month, Kalikow indicated he might step down to allow Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer to bring new leadership to the MTA. But before he leaves, he said, he wanted to secure funding for key projects. One of those projects – linking the LIRR with Grand Central Terminal on the East Side – won significant federal funding this week.
“I am not sure how much time you have spent visiting our system and our people, but I assure you, had you put aside your own personal pet projects and learned more about us, the LIRR would be on the top of your list,” the letter states.
Simon wrote that he wants an apology before Kalikow moves on “to bigger and better things.”
MTA spokesman Tom Kelly said he wouldn’t comment on a letter he has yet to read.
Echoing Simon’s outrage were leaders from other LIRR unions. Kalikow’s opinion was a “slap in the face” to LIRR workers, said Michael Quinn, general chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, representing about 400 members.
Christopher Natale, general chairman of the Brotherhood of Rail Road Signalmen, which has about 500 LIRR workers, called Kalikow’s remarks “demeaning.”
The letter also criticizes Kalikow’s desire to merge the railroad with Metro-North and his assertion that LIRR could stand to learn from its sister rail line, which is “slightly better run.”
Natale shrugged off Kalikow’s words.
“Quite honestly,” Natale said, “we’re the biggest and best commuter railroad in the country.”
Excerpt from United Transportation Union general chairman Anthony Simon’s letter to MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow, pictured at right:
‘I must say, it took me hours to calm down before being able to gather my thoughts and deliver them to you. Your comments were insulting and unfair to say the least. If it is your opinion that “the LIRR is the third-best railroad in the metropolitan area,” I need to inform you how incorrect you are.’
Critical response
From union chief’s letter responding to Kalikow’s comments
I must say, it took me hours to calm down before being able to gather my thoughts and deliver them to you. Your comments were insulting and unfair to say the least. If it is your opinion that “the LIRR is the third-best railroad in the metropolitan area,” I need to inform you how incorrect you are.
In closing, I would like to remind you that the men and women in my Organization work tirelessly in safety-sensitive positions to earn an average wage. They deserve better than being referred to as the employees of the third-best railroad in the area.