Avoiding an MTA and LIRR Union Strike

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

Photo Source: Wikipedia

The Long Island Rail Road is the nation’s largest commuter railroad.   A possible LIRR strike would create a problem for over 150,000 commuters!  The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its LIRR unions are currently negotiating their contract in an effort to prevent the railroad from shutting down.

Both Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio say that they are committed to resolving the conflict in a manner that maintains LIRR service and respects the taxpayers and LIRR workers.  The two have discussed contingency plans to prepare for increased traffic, gridlock, and security concerns. 

The union negotiations involve the salaries over 5,400 Long Island Rail Road workers.  The outcome will determine if the workers get a 17 percent pay raise and take longer to reach top pay.  For future workers, the union negotiations could mean paying into their pensions longer and contributing to health care plans.

Read more about the potential LIRR strike in Newsday.

Remember to contact the Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. with all of your legal questions.  Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

LIRR Pension Error May Cost Widow Nearly $27,000

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com 

A clerical LIRR pension error has left the widow of a retired train engineer owing $26,707.  The MTA is now demanding their money back.  Shirley Findel was informed that she could correct the overpayment through a deduction of $240 from her benefits each month.  However, the 80 year old woman says that any reduction to her benefits would impose a financial hardship. 

Shirley Findel was only informed of the error after she notified the pension administrators of her husband’s death.  They are now asking for payment 18 and a half years later.  Shirley feels this payment is an unfair burden.  However, the MTA spokesman is defending the demand for repayment.  The MTA says that the pension plan “is obligated to correct this error and seek to recover the overpayment.”

New York University law professor Brookes Billman feels that if the overpayment is not recovered, it could burden the pension system.  This would cause problems for others who rely on the pension system after retirement.

Lee Adler, a lecturer in collective bargaining and labor law and Cornell University’s School of Industrial Labor Relations feels that although the MTA may have a legal right to recoup the money, there are serious moral concerns at hand.

The Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. are experienced in handling employment law cases.  Our experience, combined with our successful track record makes us Long Island’s premier law firm.  If you have an employment law case, contact our office for a consultation by calling 877-791-8076.  Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for the latest news stories and legal tips.

MTA Considers Raising LIRR Tickets by 15%!

Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C.

350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530

877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com

The MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) has reported that a Long Island Rail Road ticket (LIRR) could go up by as much as 15% per ticket by March 2013.

The new proposal by the MTA has other incentives coming along with the price hike including discounts for military personnel and the Family Fare program. Ticket prices will increase between 7.1 percent and 15.3 percent depending on the type of ticket and the location from where you’re traveling.

The MTA board will be voting on Wednesday and it is expected that the increases will be approved.

What do you think of the MTA raising ticket prices? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE!