Martins: Cuomo Needs To Take Role In LIRR Talks

[hrmjustin]

Nick Reisman

Sen. Jack Martins, a Republican who represents Nassau County, called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo this afternoon to take an active role in the negotiations between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its labor union in order to avoid a strike on the Long Island Rail Road.

“We need the Governor to bring both sides back together and mediate through this logjam,” Martins said in a statement. “Long Islanders need him involved and engaged right through deadline. No one should be walking away from the negotiating table.”

Martins, who first unseated Democratic incumbent Craig Johnson in 2010, represents a potential swing district this year, facing wealthy Democrat Adam Haber.

http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/07/martins-cuomo-needs-to-take-role-in-lirr-talks/

[hrmjustin]

1. Cuomo: LIRR Deal Must Be ‘Fair’

Nick Reisman

Asked about the faltering talks between transit and labor officials, Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier today urged “fairness” in the ongoing talks in order to avoid a strike on the Long Island Rail Road.

“My advice is I want what every New Yorker wants and the advice every New Yorker would give: Both parties should be fair,” Cuomo said. “We want a fair resolution, fair for the union, but also fair for the MTA. Remember, the MTA doesn’t have any money except what the taxpayers and the riders give to the MTA. This is a resolution really between the riders, the farepayers, and it should be fair.”

Cuomo, in Niskayuna at General Electric Co. to unveil a new state economic development investment, added he was returning to New York City to receive another briefing on the current state of the negotiations.

http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/07/cuomo-lirr-deal-must-be-fair/

[elleng]

2. 'Fair' sounds like a good idea.

Can't he do any better?

[hrmjustin]

3. He won't get involved until the ladt minute. He can but if he will I don't know.

I have no faith in Cuomo.

[elleng]

4. I haven't paid close attention to him but

haven't developed any positive thoughts about him, FAR away from his father.

[hrmjustin]

5. His father must be heartbroken over how conservative he is.

[TreasonousBastard]

6. He can, but he won't, unless he...

can be a last minute hero.


http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/dinapoli-state-lose-50-million-day-lirr-strikes-article-1.1867384

“We’ve had strikes before and we’ve survived. And we’ve had disasters and we know what that’s like. And Hurricane Sandy was a disaster, and we’ve gone through other disasters. “This is not a disaster. A real pain maybe — but not a disaster,” Cuomo said Tuesday in the town of Niskayuna, on the outskirts of Schenectady.

Just six days ago, in a statement, Cuomo underscored the LIRR’s role as an economic engine and was unequivocal in his contention that its 300,000 daily riders must not be stranded by the first work stoppage since June 1994.

“The LIRR plays a unique role and is vital to Long Island’s economic and social activity,” Cuomo’s statement from July 9 read. “This dispute must be handled amicably. A strike is just not an option and would be a terrible failure by both the unions and the MTA.”

<...>

Union leaders again called on Cuomo to intervene to break the impasse. Cuomo had previously said Congress, under federal law, is the appropriate entity to broker a deal. The New York Congressional delegation previously said it was not likely to get involved. Cuomo did not respond on Tuesday to the unions’ request for assistance, but said he would be getting his daily briefing on the matter when he arrives in New York City later in the day.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/dinapoli-state-lose-50-million-day-lirr-strikes-article-1.1867384#ixzz37ZQ1JkvU

[hrmjustin]

7. M.T.A. to run ads touting its latest LIRR offer

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2014/07/8548988/mta-run-ads-touting-its-latest-lirr-offer?top-featured-1