Labor big: Strike is up to MTA

THE HEAD of the transit union trashed MTA brass Friday while speaking in support of Long Island Rail Road workers, and refused to rule out the possibility of a bus and subway strike.

“Preventing a work stoppage in the near future is in the hands of the MTA,” John Samuelsen, president of Transport Workers Union Local 100, warned as he again made clear that his membership would support LIRR workers in any legal way if they strike this summer.

Despite the fact Local 100 is still recovering from crippling fines that were imposed on it after the bus and subway strike of 2005, Samuelsen said his union, also hungry for a new contract with raises, won’t back down from a fight. “We’re certainly not ruling out striking against these people,” he said, referring to MTA brass, whom he called “aggressive.”

Samuelsen’s tough words came as he met with LIRR union honchos a day after MTA Chairman Tom Prendergast revealed the authority was prepared to request a second round of mediation with LIRR unions — a move that would delay a potential strike from March until late-July. Last month the Metropolitan Transportation Authority rejected an independent mediator’s proposal for modest raises for LIRR workers. MTA spokesman Adam Lisberg said the authority “strongly believes that our employees deserve raises,” but thinks they should be paid for through work-rule changes.