MTA lead negotiator says unions have 'No sense of urgency'
The MTA’s chief negotiator lambasted Long Island Rail Road labor union leaders Monday for "no sense of urgency” in ending the three-day strike of the nation’s largest commuter rail system.
During an afternoon news conference held only hours before the start of the first evening workday rush hour without LIRR trains, Gary Dellaverson indicated that the two sides remain no closer to a deal
“Our sense last night was that we were moving, perhaps slowly, but moving intentionally… towards a collective bargaining agreement that would restore service to the couple hundred thousand Long Island customers,” Dellaverson said during an outdoor briefing interrupted repeatedly by horn honking, construction work and sirens.
But Dellaverson said the MTA was apparently “overly optimistic” that a deal was within reach.
“We continue to have optimism that we can get this done, but it's not at the same level,” he said. “And I think that the unions have shown us that they have no sense of urgency in getting this resolved, notwithstanding the fact that they have 3,500 members on the picket lines not getting paid.”
For example, Dellaverson, the MTA’s former chief financial officer, said that they were informed at 1 p.m. Monday by a mediator that the union “would not be available” until 3 p.m., further pushing back the negotiations.
“Whether they will be or not, I don’t know,” he said of returning the negotiating table this afternoon. “I really don’t have any confidence in this at this point.”
Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.
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