A strike by employees of the nation's busiest commuter rail line was averted, if only temporarily, after union leaders asked President Trump to intervene while they negotiate a pay hike. What did the president's love of golf have to do with it?
President Donald Trump, a native New Yorker, noted the importance of commuter rail when it comes to sporting events in the New York metropolitan area during the debut of a new Sunday FOX News show,
"During a Q&A on 'The Sunday Briefing,' Trump was asked by host Peter Doocy about how much he tips at restaurants, one to-do on his bucket list and a host of other personal questions," reported Rachel Cohen for NJ.com on Sept. 22.
While saying that he doesn’t watch a lot of television, he said his favorite shows — outside of news channels — would be “anything have to do with sports.”
“But I love the sports. I love the fact that the Ryder Cup is coming up on Friday. In fact, I’m going out there on Friday,” he added.
Doocy followed up by noting that he saw that American professional golfer, Bryson DeChambeau, had credited Trump for "saving the Ryder Cup" due to his intervention in a dispute between five railroad labor unions and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). Trump added:
"Well, we kept the railroad going, it helped, because it goes out to Bethpage. You know they are playing at the Bethpage Black...They get out there by the railroad."
Indeed! "As noted in a report from CBS News, at least half of the estimated 250,000 competition attendees were expected to use LIRR services to get to and from the golf course," reported Ahmad Austin Jr. for Mediaite on Sept. 22.
Railway Labor Act of 1926 was basis for executive order
The president agreed to the railroad unions' request to intervene by establishing an emergency board via an executive order on Sept. 16, pursuant to the Railway Labor Act of 1926 [pdf] to investigate disputes between the Long Island Rail Road Company and its employees represented by labor organizations, reported Mason Leath for ABC News on Sept. 16 in the source article for this post. The emergency board became effective on Sept. 18 and prevents a strike for the next 120 days.
"Service will continue on the busiest commuter railroad in North America while this emergency board process is underway," added Leath. "A strike could occur next May, however, if a compromise with the [Metropolitan Transportation Authority] isn't reached."
"The board, set to be composed of three members appointed directly by Trump, will have 30 days to review the contract proposals from both sides and issue its recommendations," reported the New York Post on Sept. 16 on Trump's intervention in the labor dispute.
Economic impact
The Farmingdale LIRR station is the access point for those who will attend the golf tournament, and local businesses are counting on the foot traffic that it will generate, reports CBS News, with video of the town, trains, and train station.
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