The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, as part of a coalition of five Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) labor unions, has ended its three-day strike following a tentative agreement with the carrier. The five-union coalition represents approximately 3,500 workers, a majority of the unionized workforce at LIRR. The coalition includes the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the Transportation Communications Union.
The strike began just after midnight on Saturday, May 16, after members of the coalition went nearly four years without wage increases while bargaining for a new agreement. General wage increases remained a central issue throughout negotiations, particularly as workers faced rising inflation and the high cost of living on Long Island.
“Our members stood strong throughout this process, and that solidarity made the difference,” said BRS LIRR General Chairman Michael Sullivan. “The Signalmen of the Long Island Rail Road take pride in the work they do to keep the railroad safe and reliable for the riding public. This tentative agreement recognizes that commitment, and now our members will have the opportunity to review the terms and decide whether it meets the standard they deserve.”
The Long Island Rail Road is the nation’s busiest commuter railroad, serving approximately 250,000 daily passengers, and is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
“Commuter and passenger rail workers play a vital role in safely moving the public every day, and they deserve an agreement that reflects that responsibility,” said BRS Vice President, Commuter/Passenger, Tim Tarrant. “This tentative agreement is the result of persistence, unity, and a clear understanding that our members were not asking for anything excessive. They were asking for a fair contract that keeps pace with the cost of living and respects the essential work they perform.”
Specific terms of the tentative agreement will be released after members of the coalition unions have had the opportunity to review the agreement according to each union’s ratification process.
“This tentative agreement was made possible because railroad workers stood together,” said BRS President Michael Baldwin. “BRS members and our coalition partners made clear that the men and women who keep Long Island Rail Road moving deserve a fair agreement that recognizes their work, their sacrifice, and the economic reality they face every day. This was about fairness, respect, and keeping up with the cost of living. We appreciate the solidarity shown by all five unions and the patience of the riding public throughout this process.”
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