Ongoing New York Rail Strike Affects 270K Commuters

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Is this a union-made disaster or a management failure that left workers with no choice?

Published MAY 18

Ongoing New York Rail Strike Affects 270K Commuters

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Above: Rail workers strike picket in front of Penn Station in New York City on May 18. Image credit: David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

The Spin

The LIRR strike is a union-made disaster, full stop — 3,500 workers holding 250,000 commuters hostage while already averaging $136,000 in cash compensation is indefensible. Governor Hochul wasted billions on migrantspoliticized and socialist pet projects but won't meet reasonable demands for blue-collar Long Islanders. Greedy work rules and outsized demands blew up negotiations, and riders are paying the price.

Nick LaLota on X New York Post

Trump-appointed review boards actually sided with the unions, saying workers deserved more than the MTA offered — so blaming the strike on Hochul ignores who set this messcrisis in motion. In her limited capacity, Governor Hochul moved fast to cushion the blow, rolling out shuttle buses, expanded NICE service and Citi Field parking to keep commuters moving. Workers haven't seen a raise since 2022, and record inflation makes their demands far more reasonable than the MTA admits.