Union Says Rail Strike Averted in New York

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Image: Richard Drew/Associated Press

By Jessica Plautz2014-07-17 16:49:48 UTC

One of the eight unions representing LIRR members released a memo to its members on Thursday stating that an agreement had been reached, and that "a strike had been averted."

Unions representing the 5,400 workers of LIRR said that if a contract was not agreed upon, they would begin walking out on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. ET.

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The union, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 589, did not include details of the agreement in its memo.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and LIRR had turned to outside authorities to help reach a deal. Although Congress had made it clear it would not get involved, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo eventually stepped in Thursday, saying the strike had to be averted. More than 300,000 people ride the LIRR daily.

The contract negotiations became increasingly heated in recent days, as both the MTA and unions turned to the public to try to gain popular favor. The sticking points in the contract included raises and contributions to benefits. LIRR workers have been working without a contract since 2010.

On Wednesday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appeared on The Colbert Report. Colbert asked about the strike, but de Blasio said that it was Cuomo's jurisdiction.

The Colbert Report

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"We could very well have eight unions shut down the LIRR [Monday morning]," Colbert said during the segment, then asking if the mayor would call in the Pinkertons "to give ‘em a taste of old Daddy Warbucks," in a reference to the strike breakers of the early 20th century and to the wealthy character from Little Orphan Annie.

This story is developing.

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Topics: lirr, MTA, new york city, Travel & Leisure, U.S., US & World