As stalemate continues, MTA and unions sharpen criticism

Gov. Kathy Hochul portrayed the MTA as standing for affordability and riders, citing rising inflation due to tariffs and "skyrocketing gas prices after Trump's war in Iran."

She also blamed the Trump administration for what she called "the highly unusual step last fall" of releasing labor unions from mediation, paving a legal pathway for the strike to go ahead.

In response, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the Transportation Communications Union said in a statement, “Governor Hochul and Janno Lieber, respectfully, this avoidable dispute should not be politicized — and seems to be the product of delays and miscommunication caused by Mr. Lieber and his many deputies. The dedicated Long Island Rail Road workers represented by our unions are not asking for special treatment — they are simply fighting to keep up with the skyrocketing cost of living in the New York region after years without a raise."

“The facts matter here," the statement continued. "A bipartisan National Mediation Board unanimously released the parties from mediation because negotiations had stalled. Two separate Presidential Emergency Boards made up of experienced, independent arbitrators ruled in favor of the unions’ position — not those of Mr. Lieber or MTA executives"

The striking unions, who last saw a pay increase in 2022, have agreed with the MTA on a retroactive 9.5% wage increase for 2023-25, which the MTA has offered several other transit unions. The disagreement is over the pay for 2026, with the unions asking for a 5% raise and the MTA countering with lower amounts.

By Peter Gill

peter.gill@newsday.com