Tuesday Headlines: Splirrging On Labor

Commuters rejoice, the LIRR strike has ended, with partial service resuming at noon and full service at 4 p.m.

The MTA and LIRR unions agreed to a new contract as the third day of their work stoppage came to a close. The MTA was pushing for work rule changes, like ending the practice of double pay for workers who operated two different types of locomotives on the same day. They eventually relented, but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement on pay increases before a Saturday deadline, despite coming close, prompting a strike.

Gov. Hochul announced a deal Monday evening, but didn’t provide details beyond allaying fears of fare increases to account for a new pay structure.

“At a time where everything is going up, I was not going to allow taxes or fares to go up,” Hochul said. “And that’s why we stood for a deal that would not require any additional fare increases or tax increases.”

The state agreed to the deal even as the region experienced muted impacts on the first workday since the strike began: The LIRR typically carries around 140,000 people per day. On Monday, a combination of shuttle buses, remote work and other alternatives appeared to have offset any horrendous impacts on traffic congestion — which was slightly elevated, but not extreme, around the Nassau-Queens border, according to one official briefed on road conditions in the LIRR service area.

With the length and chaos of last year’s corrections officer strike, Hochul has to be pleased that LIRR workers were at least interested in a deal, even as they remain incredibly well compensated relative to the rest of the industry and even other parts of the MTA.

More news:

• Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman may have missed an opportunity to capitalize on the strike politically. And Hochul’s star isn’t necessarily dimmed by the work stoppage. (Newsday, City & State)
• Erie County legislators and the county clerk are fighting over the Department of Motor Vehicles price tag and location. (The Buffalo News)
• Assembly member Jon Rivera (D-Buffalo), who is running for state Senate, wants New York to reform its system for filling vacant offices, after state Sen. Jeremy Zellner (D-Erie County) installed himself as Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan’s replacement due to his power as Erie County Democratic Party Chair. (The Buffalo News)
• A new luxury Hudson hotel is prompting complaints from residents who see the new influx of traffic and parking demands as a problem. (The Times Union)
• The Chester highway supervisor who shot a lost DoorDash driver was sentenced to 17 years in prison. (Mid Hudson News)
• Democrats running for the chance to defeat Rep. Mike Lawler (R-Rockland County) are being urged to not make the race about President Trump. (City & State)
• The politics of Puerto Rican identity and solidarity loom large in the Democratic primary for the 7th Congressional District in Brooklyn and Queens. (amNY, The City)
• State lawmakers passed a 13th budget extender. (WXXI)
• Syracuse has a new trails coordinator. (The Syracuse Post-Standard)
• The Saratoga Springs Amtrak station is on track for ADA upgrades. (WAMC)
• New York City is reveiewing it’s press pass policy after a bunch of Luigi Mangione supporters received credentials and made problematic comments outside his trial. (The New York Times)
• The battle over Blakeman’s public matching funds for his gubernatorial campaign is far from over, as his fellow Republicans rally around him. (State of Politics)