NEW YORK (PIX11) — The Presidential Emergency Board issued its recommendation for resolving the contract dispute between multiple Long Island Rail Road unions and the MTA on Friday evening.
The panel of mediators selected by the White House called on the MTA to issue raises to the unions.
“We had hoped to avoid a strike; that’s why our coalition asked for a PEB,” said Kevin Sexton, the national vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. “While we don’t agree with everything the PEB had to say, such as the length of the agreement and the raises were lower than our ask, this is a step in the right direction.”
Presidential Emergency Board formation
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Transportation Communications Union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen had been engaged in contract negotiations with the MTA.
In August, contract negotiations fell through, prompting a 30-day cooling-off period. By September, multiple unions and their members had voted to authorize a strike if a pay increase could not be agreed upon.
Contract negotiations reached a deadlock, leading to the formation of the Presidential Emergency Board. By Friday, the PEB provided recommendations to facilitate a contract agreement.
Recommendations
The PEB recommended the following raises :
- 3.0%, effective June 16, 2023
- 3.0%, effective June 16, 2024
- 3.5%, effective June 16, 2025
- 4.5%, effective July 16, 2026
The PEB also recommended a $3,000 lump sum payment, payable following a final contract ratification.
MTA response
PIX11 News contacted the MTA, and a statement was provided by MTA Chief of Policy and External Relations, John J. McCarthy, which read in part:
“The MTA is disappointed but not surprised by the Emergency Board’s report and recommendations. We do not accept them.”
The MTA went on to say that the president appointed the same board that the prior Biden administration assigned to handle NJ Transit’s labor dispute, and reached the same findings.
If there is no settlement between both parties based on the board’s recommendations, then the next step under the law is a public hearing hosted by the National Mediation Board, according to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
If unresolved, a LIRR union strike could occur as early as January.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.
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