Transit Union Head Says Governor Facilitated Rail Strike to Gain Political Advantage

The head of a major transportation union stated that state officials facilitated a Long Island Rail Road strike to affect local political outcomes on Long Island. The union leader said the timing of the strike was not a coincidence and was intended to shift blame toward county officials and Republican candidates.

John Samuelsen, the International President of the Transport Workers Union, said officials believe the strike could help gain support in Nassau and Suffolk counties. He added that the inability to prevent the strike could affect multiple races for Democratic candidates in November.

Samuelsen blamed state officials and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the strike by five LIRR unions. He said the MTA refused recommendations from two federal panels that could have prevented the strike. The union leader also criticized the MTA for hiring a chief negotiator who previously handled contract disputes in 2005.

A spokesperson for the governor said the union leader has no role in the current negotiations. The spokesperson stated that officials directed the MTA to offer fair options without increasing fares or taxes for Long Islanders.