A nationwide freight rail strike could be a problem for LI commuters

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 280,000 Long Islanders commuted to New York City daily on the Long Island Rail Road. While that number dropped drastically during the pandemic with the spread of remote work, LIRR ridership has been increasing as offices and businesses in the city have begun to bring workers back, either full time or part time.

Regrettably, for those who depend on the LIRR to get to and from their jobs, things could soon get worse. Unless all 12 unions involved in the negotiations ratify a temporary agreement brokered by the White House in September, we could be facing a nationwide rail strike. And union officials announced Monday that the freight rail conductors rejected the deal. A strike could begin as soon as Dec. 5. 

A nationwide rail shutdown would have a huge impact on consumers and businesses, given the massive amount of retail, agriculture, and other products that move across our country via freight rail each day. It also would cause commuter rail disruptions in New York and beyond. In many places, commuter trains use rail lines owned by freight railroads. Those lines getting shut down would cause major service disruptions. Chicago, Washington, and Baltimore could be hardest hit. It would also force Amtrak to shut down its long-distance service, potentially affecting holiday-related travel.

While that’s not an issue for Long Island commuters, they have reason to fear the freight rail strike. Some LIRR workers previously suggested they would not cross picket lines as a show of support for their freight rail brethren, which could impact service and create uncertainty for commuters who just want to get to work and back home with as few headaches as possible.

Under normal circumstances, one would expect and appreciate a certain amount of solidarity among workers. Most people understand the importance of fighting for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. In this case, however, there is a deal on the table, and once Long Islanders focus on its details, they may come to resent their lives being turned upside down by freight rail workers rejecting what many would describe as a generous pact.

A public backlash could ultimately be a massive disservice to the broader union cause at a time when the labor movement is seeing a resurgence in power and popularity. Just in the past year, workers nationwide have successfully formed labor unions, including congressional staffers, baristas, and journalists. A recent Gallup Poll showed that support for labor unions was 71%, the highest level in more than 50 years.

By turning down a deal with generous terms, freight rail workers aren’t just taking the risk that Congress could step in to implement a less labor-friendly deal. They are also putting at risk the potential long-term gains of the labor movement in general. 

If public sentiment turns against unions, there would be less cost to companies fighting back against workers trying to form a union. It also would be more difficult for political leaders to openly support labor unions.

A failed deal will also be politically damaging to President Joe Biden, who stepped in to broker this compromise and publicly touted how the successful negotiations prevented a rail strike.

There is a lot on the line for Long Islanders in these freight rail union votes. Let's hope cooler heads prevail and a freight rail strike is averted. 

The consequences of failure would be catastrophic. And time is running short.