Trains don’t run themselves — that’s the message from BLET members to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and members of the State Senate and Assembly.
The BLET, along with four other rail unions — BRS, IAM, TCU, and IBEW — are involved in contract negotiations with the Long Island Rail Road. LIRR is owned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The passenger railroad relies on a highly skilled workforce to keep trains running 24/7 from Manhattan to the end of Long Island. However, most of LIRR’s workers haven’t had a raise in three years — despite a dramatic increase in overall inflation during that period.
Railroad management has offered a 38-month wage proposal, which calls for steep increases in health insurance for new hires and doesn’t address the recent inflation spikes. The MTA/LIRR proposal would result in a loss in real wages for all the LIRR’s railroaders covered by the agreement.
Last week, the BLET along with the other coalition unions, representing the majority of LIRR’s workforce, sent over 3,500 messages to Gov. Hochul and other elected officials stressing the urgency of the situation. Here’s an excerpt:
“The decision-makers at MTA/LIRR are off track. They’re very focused on a Capital Plan to fund infrastructure improvements and new railcars through the end of the decade. While capital improvements are needed, LIRR’s managers need to be reminded that trains don’t run themselves. The railroad must adequately address the needs of their human assets: the hard-working, skilled employees who keep the trains running and safely move hundreds of thousands of rail passengers every week. Please support the people who get your constituents safely to their destination. Support a fair wage increase for the LIRR workforce.”
BLET LIRR General Chairman Kevin Sexton said the outreach has had a positive impact, and that several members of the State Assembly have committed to support rail labor or agreed to meetings to discuss the status of contract talks. Sexton has already met with Hochul’s staff.
BLET members who live in New York can show their support for their Brothers and Sisters at LIRR by participating in a Take Action through the National Division website to help spread the word. Follow this link and then scroll down to the “State Action Alerts” area to make your voice heard.