Hochul blames Long Island Rail Road strike on Trump administration
Source: The Hill
by Tara Suter - 05/18/26 10:37 AM ET
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) again pinned an ongoing Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) strike on the Trump administration, continuing a days-long feud between Albany and Washington over the strike.
“Let me be clear, this strike would not have been possible if the Trump administration had not taken the highly unusual step last fall of releasing labor unions from mediation. Unfortunately, for our commuters, the direct consequence of this action is the strike we have today,” Hochul said at a Sunday press conference.
“Now, New York, everyone knows, is a prolabor state. We believe in working men and women receiving a fair wage and benefits, but the [Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)] cannot agree to a contract that would raise fares as much as 8 percent and risk hiking taxes for Long Islanders,” she added.
Over the weekend, President Trump clapped back at Hochul after she blamed his administration for the strike.
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5883003-lirr-strike-trump-administration-kathy-hochul/