Economic impact of strike
A potential Long Island Rail Road strike would cost the metropolitan area’s economy up to $61 million per day, according to an estimate from state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
The Democrat from Great Neck Plaza said on Friday the economic impact of a strike would be wide-ranging, from lower worker productivity and fewer retail sales, to lost tourism dollars.
DiNapoli’s estimate compares with the $70-million-a-day loss of economic activity projected by the Long Island Association business group. That estimate from LIA chief economist Steven Kent was reported by Newsday earlier this week. It was based on DiNapoli’s projection of a 2014 LIRR strike costing the metropolitan area economy up to $50 million.
"A LIRR strike will be felt far beyond the tracks, triggering the loss of millions of dollars per day in lost economic activity, disrupting thousands of riders and throwing the region’s transit service into chaos and gridlock," DiNapoli said in releasing the 2026 strike estimate.
"I urge the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its union partners to expedite reaching a reasonable settlement so we can avoid the widespread disruption of a strike," he said.
James T. Madore writes about Long Island business news including the economy, development, and the relationship between government and business. He previously served as Albany bureau chief.
