LIRR strikes, Iran war victims, e-bike laws

Union pressure vexes commuters

The Long Island Rail Road unions have for decades held the public, particularly commuters, hostage with strikes resulting in many employee benefits and scant improvements in service or production standards.

Some of the absurd benefits and lack of management accountability include controls on workers that have been lacking for decades. The one benefit of the COVID-19 health crisis is that commuters can reduce their reliance on the LIRR commute by working remotely [“LIRR strike could turn LI’s roads to parking lots,” News, May 12]. This is key in negating the pressure of striking unions.

The hundreds of millions of dollars spent for decades on capital expenditures is paid by taxpayers, and a large majority do not even use this railroad to commute. Have these expenditures ever resulted in any lasting service improvements? We see only unreasonable wages and continued work scandals by LIRR employees, eroding public trust year after year.

The decades of numerous work scandals perpetrated by these union workers speaks volumes that these unions apparently are infiltrated with bad policies and should be decommissioned.

— Jim Nardone, St. James

Certain public employees’ unions should not be allowed to strike. Impartial binding arbitration can be put into place to resolve disputes. It can work if the lawmakers make it happen.

— Peter Kelly, Medford

If the LIRR goes on strike May 16, does the railroad have a contingency plan to refund the cost of May monthly tickets that riders bought for May 1 but cannot use in the event of a strike?

— Andrew Skibins, Greenlawn

Raises, raises, and more raises. I hope the LIRR ridership aka “the revenue” will remain as passengers to help pay for these requested raises, otherwise it just would lead to the railroad’s insolvency. There is a limit on just how much you can squeeze out of commuters.

— Anthony Tanzi, Mastic Beach

Don’t overlook all the war’s victims

The editorial “Trump’s war has us in dire straits” Opinion, May 8] notes that thousands of civilians in Iran have died in the recent bombings. It also says that Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah, allied with Iran, have cost an estimated 2,500 lives in Lebanon, and the United States has lost “more than a dozen lives.”

The editorial, though, makes no mention of Israeli lives lost in the war that started nearly 2 1⁄2 years ago in the aftermath of the horrific events of Oct. 7, 2023, including drone and missile attacks on Israel from Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.

It also neglects to mention the dozens of Israeli deaths and thousands of Israeli injuries in attacks from Iran since the start of the Iran war in February. Israeli lives matter, too.

— Tom Cohn, Huntington

New e-bike laws require balance

I have constantly encountered e-bikes on residential streets [“Nassau e-bike ban brings fines, seizures, debate,” News, May 9]. Many fly past stop signs without paying attention to traffic laws, and some even ride on sidewalks, almost hitting pedestrians. Driving slowly, I’ve avoided many collisions.

E-bikes are motor vehicles, and riders should abide by rules and regulations. Why not require a specific safety endorsement for e-bike operation, similar to a motorcycle license? Why not have the bike registered and given a license number to be put on the bike? Also, insurance should be required. This would be for the safety of the drivers and pedestrians.

Serious accidents involving e-bikes are on the rise. A safety course and permit would help ensure that safety rules are followed. Any riders who don’t follow the rules should be fined and have their e-bikes confiscated.

— Joseph Rella, Farmingdale

Nassau County leaders should reconsider the county ban on e-bikes. I am 52 and get a lot of joy and recreational exercise in the park. As a lifelong county resident, I understand why restrictions are needed, but do not spoil it for the rest of us.

I could comply with state-level Class 1 safety standards if the county provides a carve-out. There must be some kind of compromise. I will start a petition to get this corrected.

As a supporter of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a gubernatorial candidate I want to vote for, I would hate to see this issue create unnecessary friction. He should reconsider the ban and come up with something we can all live with.

— Mike Petrosillo, Massapequa