The politics of a strike blame game
Who will the public blame if the LIRR goes on strike? One railroad labor expert believes it will be the federal lawmakers that let it happen.
Frank Wilner, a former White House-appointed chief of staff at the Surface Transportation Board and author of Understanding the Railway Labor Act, said while some disgruntled LIRR riders “may litter more” or complain on social media, they’ll ultimately have little choice but to return to the rails once the labor dispute is settled.
Union leadership, meanwhile, will have to answer, “only to its members.”
State elected officials, like Gov. Kathy Hochul, may have some political cover by pointing out that the LIRR collective bargaining process, unlike with MTA bus and subway workers, is governed by federal law, and not state law.
Wilner said they could tell the public, “Don’t blame me.”
But under the Railway Labor Act of 1926, which governs all railroad union bargaining, federal representatives could intervene to resolve a labor dispute, including by imposing contract terms.
“Where does the buck stop?” Wilner said. “With congressional representatives in a congressional election year.”
Alfonso Castillo has been reporting for Newsday since 1999 and covering the transportation beat since 2008. He grew up in the Bronx and Queens and now lives in Valley Stream with his wife and two sons.
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