Workers on New York commuter rail end their strike after wage deal
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The workers said they had not received any wage increases in three years.
PHOTO: REUTERS
NEW YORK - Some 3,500 workers on New York’s Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will end their strike, the first in more than three decades which had brought disruption to the US’ busiest commuter line, after a wage deal was reached, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said.
Rail service will resume at noon local time on May 19, Ms Hochul said.
The workers, represented by five labour unions, began their work stoppage on May 16 to force the state-controlled Metropolitan Transportation Authority to agree to a new contract at the bargaining table. The workers said they had not received any wage increases in three years.
“Tonight, the @MTA reached a fair deal with the five LIRR unions that delivers raises for workers while protecting riders and taxpayers,” Ms Hochul said on X.
More than a quarter of a million trips are taken on the LIRR between New York City and Long Island each weekday. During the strike, New York officials urged people who could work remotely to do so, and arranged for shuttle buses and other alternative methods of transport.
The last strike by LIRR workers was in 1994. It lasted two days after then-governor Mario Cuomo acceded to many of their demands. REUTERS
