MINEOLA, N.Y. -- In a bipartisan show of support for rail labor, five U.S. congressional representatives stood arm-in-arm with UTU General Chairperson Anthony Simon (GO 505) and other rail labor leaders Aug. 30 at a rally here protesting Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) service cuts and layoffs.
Joining Simon, other rail labor leaders and state and local elected officials, were U.S. Representatives Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.), Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.), Steven Israel (D-N.Y.), Peter King (R-N.Y.), and Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.).
The rally, which was organized by Simon, voiced labor's commitment to the safety and security of Long Island Rail Road customers.
"Dedicated, concerned and highly skilled LIRR workers are the glue keeping the aged and deteriorating LIRR infrastructure intact and running no matter the weather conditions," Simon said.
Following are comments of the four congressmen and one congresswoman to the hundreds of rail workers attending the rally:
Cong. Ackerman: "I come here today in solidarity for the hard working men and woman of the LIRR. This is no time in this economy to layoff our people off. You provide service for all Long Islanders to and from Manhattan safely. We thank you and they should thank you and improve your pay, pensions and benefits. Let this message be clear to the MTA when they come to Washington looking for help: We want to know they are doing the right thing by the people who keep this system running. We will stand side-by-side with labor."
Cong. Bishop: "This is a great turnout and so much passion. I come from a labor family. I want to thank Anthony for his friendship and leadership. Unions built this railroad and are the ones who keep it running every day. Layoffs are not the answer. Save service. Save jobs."
Cong. Israel: "Get rid of high priced executives and keep our frontline labor force working."
Cong. King: "All of you here today are the back bone of our communities. You provide safety and security for our commuters. Layoffs are not the answer, and it is wrong. Thank you, Anthony, for your continuous fight and friendship. I pledge a bi-partisan relationship to send the Metropolitan Transit Authority [parent of the LIRR] a strong message."
Cong. McCarthy: "I come from a union family. It was unions who made this country great. We must all join in this fight. Labor makes all the concessions and that is wrong. I won't give up your cause or any other union's cause. We must fight back."
Said Simon: "The Metropolitan Transit Authority, which operates the LIRR, has guided the LIRR on a destructive path of poor service and unsafe conditions by taking the largest commuter railroad in the nation away from the true front-line railroad workers who provide service to the public.
"On-time trains, well maintained equipment and facilities and the safety and security of our riders are a direct result of union workers," Simon said. "The highly trained, hard working and qualified employees of the LIRR are blue collar workers who are dedicated to the public."
From left, U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.), U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), UTU General Chairperson Anthony Simon, who organized the rally, and U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.)
