Hochul, MTA largely cave to striking LIRR union workers but insist taxpayers wont be financially crushed

Gov.Kathy Hochul and the MTA largely caved to striking Long Island Rail Road union workers — granting them a 4.5% pay hike — even while insisting the new deal won’t financially crush riders or taxpayers.The increase was only slightly less than the 5% salary jump that the 3,500 workers from five labor groups were pushing for in the proposed contract that fueled a three-day rail strike and chaotic travel for thousands of New Yorkers.“Through negotiations we were able to find a common ground to come to an agreement,” LIRR President Rob Free said during a Tuesday press conference.“A contract they feel [union members] can ratify and something we know wouldn’t cause a financial burden to the taxpayers and the riders.”The sides had already agreed to retroactive raises of 3% in 2023, 3% in 2024 and 3.5% in 2025, but were struggling to reach a number for 2026.Union workers also clinched a $3,000 lump sum payment – but won’t be paid to take a 16-hour computer-based training course as they had requested, according to an NY1 reporter.

The new contract will expire in August 2027, ABC 7 also reported.When asked what savings the MTA had achieved through the deal, Free said there were “factors within the contract that were worked on to make it more affordable.”Hochul, in announcing the tentative agreement Monday night, boasted: “At a time where everything is going up, I was not going to allow taxes or fares to go up.And that’s why we stood firm for a deal that would not require any additional fare increases or tax increases.”Full train service was expected to rev back up by 4 p.m.

for the evening rush hour home with some trains already running starting around noon.While commuters were still stuck taking the bus or driving to reach their workplace Tuesday morning, many were relieved that the two sides agreed to end the work stoppage while boarding a shuttle at the Ronkonkoma station.“Man, I am so glad — I have to go to school, it’s my last week ...